Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1877-1885

not addicted to this practice, are poor & thriftless, it by no means proves, that some thrifty ones who are, could not more generously expend the means in their power & become even more prosperous than they now are.

The use of Tobacco like every other unnecessary self indulgence, demands that we should raise our voices against it, & do what we can, as a society, & as individuals to check the increase of any custom which lessens our purity, & lowers the plane to which we wish our children to aspire. Alban S Thomas & [...] were requested to to furnish reading at our next meeting to be held at Sunnyside Fed 17^th 1877.

73^rd Meeting

A pleasant meeting of the "H I" convened at Sunnyside Fed 17^th 1877. The afternoon was blistering & cold but the good cheer in parlor & dining room were none the less enjoyable on that account. We still have to note the non attendance of one fifth of our number, whose absence however was much less felt, by having present several entertaining guests.

Tho' the weather still forbids our going out to make inspections, yet as we drove to the house on this occasion, we could but note the heavy obligation to the barn yard, under which the new lawn rested. We admired too, the high board fence which was doing duty in excluding from new all manner of things unsightly. We also noticed a large zinc platform for flowers, which stand on end in the front porch

while the broad sunny bay window in the parlor, was without a creeping vine or flowering plant.

Having spent an hour or more in lively social chat, W^m W Moore was called to preside over us about 5o'c , though several of our tardy members came dropping in after that hour.

After hearing the usual minutes, Sue L Thomas introduced the Book Club, which was subjict was discussed with an increased show of interest. Much objection was made to the books of last year: one member thought that satisfactory books were preferable to good books.

As the influence upon mind & heart by what is read seems of vital importance, it beholds us to purge our book shelves of all weak & highly wrought fiction, admitting into our homes only those books whose purity & fidelity to nature command them to our better judgment. The following points were agreed upon: The Book Club shall be continued with out increase of members. As the member who does the work made no resistance, the old Committee was retained.

Each member of the Club requested to produce at next meeting, the names of two or more books, to aid the Com. in the responsible duty of deciding what books shall be bought.

Some one wanted to know what would remove ink & was told that sour milk would or mildew receipt, or chlorate of soda. Only one present had planted Tomato seed.

Is it time to sow Pansey seed? No answer to record.

The poultry question was again revived: the majority prefer the Partridge Cochin, & light & dark Brahma, as combining most good qualities, & therefore most desirable for family use.

As great layers the White Leghorn, & Blk Spanish also had their advocate. From 30 to 40 hens was considered a good No to keep for profit, tho' one member who has had large experience thought 60 not too many. Ducks are easiest raised where there is no water, & are pronounced by H G Halls well to be profitable. The eggs should be set early under chicken hens: for further information apply to W^m J. Schofield.

Poultry yards are rapidly gaining favor; the bad after effects on lawns & in door yards from poultry using them, were fully dwelt upon by the ladies.

Who has tried perfected butter color? Those who have commend it highly. Try marbleized ware to bake puddings in. Keep lye in pine [?] that have had the salt soaked out. The Penn a Salt Manufacturing Co's concentrated Lye is best; it should be resin covered or encased in glue for greater convenience

A G Thomas read an interesting article from Scribnor showing that if our National Pride exceeds that of other natures it is justifiable. The other reader being absent, scraps from the chip box helped to fill the vacumm & added pleasantly to the evenings entertainment, as they usually do, when we are so fortunate as to have any.

If during the winter mos' at least the reader would put the weight of their appointment, they would not fail, either in pardon or by proxy, to fulfil the duty thus imposed, thereby adding much to the interest & satisfaction of our meetings. Cornelia Stabler & J Hartshorne were invited to read at Oak Hill March 17^th to which place we then adjourned.

74^th Meeting

A very interesting meeting of the H I was held at Oak Hill March 17^th, a veritable St Patrick's day. The company seemed small when spread through the spacious new parlor, tho' in numbered 13 members & 2 guests Hannah Stabler & Mary Muller.

While enjoying the elegant supper & for sometime after a good deal was said relative to the change in the time of holding our Quarterly Mtg, & considerable opposition was expressed, showing conclusively, that in church as well as state those who stay at home & shirk all manner of duties in relation to these matters, must accept the legislation, imposed by those more in earnest than themselves. We commenced work at 5 1/2 o'c with P S Stabler foreman. The near approach to the time of gardening & orchard planting, agitated the minds of those present, giving rise to many questions of minor importance themselves, tho the answers thereto were, no doubt, of great value to the individual enquirer. Of the much that was said, each thing seems about as worthy to be written (or left out) as the other; therefore we will take brevity as our motto, & touch lightly all topics believing that those who were then present, would not care to hear the same rehearsed in full, & perhaps all who were not there will think more regretfully of their absence, if they never should know the thoroughly unimportant nature of much that was said.

Mary Bond asked us how long she should allow her drying beef to hang, before putting it in bags? Several methods of curing beef were spoken of, but as no one could tell her exactly what she wanted to know, she must write home for the desired information. Pattie R. Stabler can get

any quantity of Wilson Strawberry plants from Dr Thomas, but he does not guarantee them to be entirely free of the very objectionable chick-weed. What is the best variety of Currants? The Red Dutch the best known; get cuttings from Mt Airy now What is the best clothes wringer? Those present have the Odreka 1 the universal, 1 the novelty, & four use the Human Strength. The empire is highly recommended. For further information please apply to P T. Stabler. What variety of Quinces will, under all circumstances, always have perfect fruit? None Known that will yield that way in this locality. Young trees properly cared for, sometimes do well; a new kind called the Ria is said to be so perfect, that a kick basket will command from $3.50 to $4.00. What is the advice about Damsons? Plant them where poultry was, or where the ground is thoroughly tramped.

Are ashes good as words earth to brighten flower beds?

Better use both. Shall we aim for something big for Asparagus, or keep to the old varieties? Conor's Collossal & Giant are good. Never rest until you succeed in growing this delightful vegetable, both large & abundant: the heavy dressing of salt given to B H Miller's had last year, proved most beneficial; not a weed has troubled it during the whole year, & the yield was finer than before.

Dr. Thomas makes enquiry about pears. Having planted an orchard of about 100 trees, & had them destroyed by rabbits, he wishes to replace them. Duchess, Seckle, Barlett, Curtland & Laurence were mentioned. W S Bond's friend referred to the Club, for information about fruit trees & orchard planting.

How soon to sprout potatoes for early use? Now

What better Pea than Landreth's Extra Early? None Given.