Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1877-1885

79th Meeting

Our society accepted the kind invitation of George & Annie Stabler, & met at Fawley Aug 12th. A very large company including 15 members & as many more who were not, was present.

An effort was made to have it an informal meeting, but the motion was not sustained. And Anna Moore requested to act as Foreman. Alltho' we began business very late, the sun was still very warm, when the usual time for the walk came round, so we decided to wait for it to grow cooler, & when we had finally started out, a call from the supper room turned our willing steps in another direction, & soon yards & gardens, all outside affairs were forgotten, & our whole attention given to the subject before us, viz a sumptuous repast; & when hunger's demands & those of appetite had been appeased on all sides, the shades of night had stolen over us, & we were prevented from visiting either the cows or the dairy, a fact very much regretted by many of us, as they both are known to be quite patterns of their kind, doing credit to their attentive owner.

The tiny flower garden at the end of the parlor was a pretty thought, & the vegetable garden showed the substantials were not disregardid. The beautifully sloping, lawn also gave evidence of care, while a cursory glance at the Kitchen porch neatly painted and piled with wood, the vine covered smoke-house the efficient drainage from the Kitchen, & other points of like nature, showed the same attention to neatness & health.

The questions were these- Is it time to make fox-grape jelly? Yes. What kind of jar for Tomatoes? Masons's How to raise Japan Lilies? Plant in light soil, composed of

woods-earth. How short to cut an Oleander? To be governed by circumstances. How to spice Canteloupe? Get receipt from S E Slabler. How deep should the soil be, in which to set Celery plants? The deeper the better.

When to gather Bartlett pears? As soon as they will part from the stem readily. Whose grapes are blighting? Most peoples.

What for lawn roses ? the most durable, but not the the least expensive. Mrs Hartshorne wants a Tomato that has all the season ? Set out late plants for which sow seed the 1st of June.

What makes carrots die? Don't know. Why do rose blooms dry up & drop off? No one seems to know the reason. Pattie Stabler & A G Thomas were named readers for next time. Then adjourned to meet at Leawood Sept 13th.

80th Meeting. Sep 15th

The last "H I" meet at Leawood. This time it was not the elements which made the members few, but the Rockville fair

A number of interesting guests added to the sociability of the occassion. Business opened about 5 o'c & W^m S Bond called to preside. We were warned by the approaching twilight to visit the garden first. The prospect here was pleasing, but rather discouraging to some of us, when compared with our meagre efforts in this line at home. After the flower borders & the multitude of cuttings, many started for the green house, the immense mounds of compost were the most striking feature

We enquired of our hostess, how she managed, this, to us difficult problem, & the answer that came to us was, "she

has it done," Again seated in the parlor, both minutes were read. Albina O' Slabler was elected as Sec by an overwhelming majority: & E P & M B Thomas were again received as members with a cordial & heartfelt welcome.

A G Thomas, Pattie R Slabler & Cornelia Slabler were appointed to furnish reading matter for the next meeting to be held at Walter H Brooke's the 13th of next month.

Then Beulah Thomas asked whether in home made fabrics it was honorable to exhibit & receive premiums for articles not made by the exhibitor? The subject was discussed from various standpoints, but we failed to discover the prevailing sentiment.

Our hostess wants to cut back her Oleander, when & how much shall she do it? Cut it before the time of making new growth & as short as you please; That is the trouble, it has all reasons for its own. Is it too late to set out strawberry plants? No: if mulched during the winter: work the plants well when done bearing & manure them. How is the Celery growing? B H Miller has some that has been standing still for some time. Is it essential in making quince jelly to have crushed sugar, or will granulated so? Different experiences with different results. What protection to give young roses? Pine boughs; don't protect too much & don't uncover too soon in the spring; What about planting flowers in moss instead of earth? Nothing known Is this a suitable time to change stock of chickens? Perhaps so.

An elegant supper, very pleasant conversation, & highly interesting readings by Charles Hartshorne formed the remaining features of the evening.

Then Adjourned.

81st Meeting

Our meeting at W. H. Brooke's, held Oct 13^th 1877, was called to order at 2.30 o'c with W^m W. Moore as foreman. Sixteen members present, and Sam'l & Pattie Hopkins, Mary B Kirk, Sallie & Sadie Pleasants were our guests. After the minutes of the last meeting at this place were read, most of the company started on a tour of inspection, keeping together as far as the garden, where they divided, to visit respectively the Dairy, found to be in perfect order and a pig pen or house, in course of erection. But three members got as far as the garden, where were to be seen long rows of fine looking winter vegetables, the evidences of an abundant summer garden, and a few flowers that looked worthy of a warmer bed. The specimens exhibited on the parlor, were some beautiful flowers from White Hall-- peaches from Lucknow and pears from Willow Heights. After reading minutes of our last meeting, the following questions were discussed.

1^st Is celery a foot hight now, worth taking care of? Yes - Hill up

2^nd What are the most desirable colors for rag carpet warps? No color permanent as brown and green among the best. A bright stipe of woollen warp, if it can be had of good

quality was recommended, to brighten up the carpet. Mr. Chaney of Spencerville was reported as having greatly improved in his weaving. Sarah JMiller gave some ingormation in making carpet out of old ingrain carpets, cut in stripes and weave like ordinary rag carpet. It makes a very durable, and pretty carpet.

3^rd When must tuber roses be taken up? Now.

4^th Does it pay to make rag carpet? The question was thoroughly discussed, and very nearly evenly divided. Tho' there was a small majority in favor of ingrain carpet,

5^th What is the best coal stove for heating sitting room and chamber above ? A wood fire for Spring and Fall being considered indispensable, the " Elm Heater" was recommended. Self-feeders are more cheerfull n appearance, but were condemned as regards quantity of heat.

6^th Will a Tuberose that failed to flower thro' the summer, bloom during Winter, if potted? Doubtful, but try it and report.

7^th Does wearing flannel next the skin strengthened children? Generally considered beneficial, but the need depends upon the child.

8^th Size of ice house requesite to keeping ice? Fred Stabler's was thought to be about the