Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1877-1885

rights size - it is "10 feet in diameter and 11 deep, with a well 4 feet deep, and pump to draw out the water.

Pattie R Stabler read an article called "Little Fortunes" and Cornelia Stabler a poem "Keep Thy Husbands love." Mary B Thomas brought a game of cards called [Sogornashy,] which was voted by several, both interesting and instructive, the were very glad to see half if not all, of our selected members, and hope they have sufficiently tested their popularity, never again to give us the trouble of voting on their names.

Adjourned to meet at Mount Airy Nov 10th /77 Readers Dr Thomas C S Brooke, S.I. Muller.

82nd Meeting

According to adjournment the "Home Interest met at Mt. Airy N^ov 10th 1877, with 17 members present and Jno Thomas & wife Louisa Brooke and Mary Annie Stabler for guests. The meeting was called to order about the usual hour, with Edward P Thomas foreman. The minutes of last meeting here were read, but owing to the weather and lateness of the hour our walk was passed by, this however did not deny us the

privelege of admiring from the parlor window, the beautiful chrysanthemums in the flower garden. There was a very creditable display of cut flowers in the parlor and dining room and our hostess' window plants looked very well. The following questions and answers afforded some informative and considerable agreement.

1^st Is this the proper time for sewing lettuce for Winter or early Spring? Sow seed in cold frame, and transplant volunteer plants for earlier use.

2^nd What will remove iron or pump strains from water pitchers? Rub with whiting, salt or ashes.

3^rd Fred Stabler wanted information on the proper construction of a hen house. There were many suggestions made and two successful houses described. Roger Brooke's had three apartments, one each for laying setting, and roosting. The other had boxes placed on the outside of the house, & protected from the weather, said boxes having an opening from the inside of the house, only large enough to admit one hen, there by obviating the difficulty of half dozen hens using one nest. Great care as regards cleanliness was recommended.

4^th Has any remedy been discovered for cabbage worm? [Illegible] [ashes?] [and?] salt have been [illegible], but

none seem entirely effective. One member suggested turning 10 turkeys into the cabage patch.

5^th What is the best season for trimming shade trees? Fall or Winter, while pap is not circulating.

6^th How often do members burn their chimneys? There was a wide difference of opinion. Since very careful housewives, thinking it should be done every two or three weeks. The majority burned about twice a year a good chimney not requiring as often as a poor one. The "poor woman with a smoky flue was advised to get one of Ricts ventilators.

7^th What to do with children's teeth when they commence decaying? Cleanse thoroughly, occasionally using weak brine water. Have permanent teeth filled, and some thought it would be better for the second teeth to have the first filled.

8^th Which is cheaper for hands, tea or coffee? Tea 50 per can

9^th What will prevent pump in B. H. Miller dining room from freezing? Fit a box round of [?] [?] and fill with melted resin. Felt was also recommended.

10^th Has any one successfully packed celery in a ditch for winter use? Fred Stabler had. Another has kept it very satisfactorily in a box or barrel in the celler. Dr. F Thomas read portion of an address delivered by Louis H.Steiner of our our State? at an Agricultural Fair in Connecticutt. C.H. Brooke entertained us with an excellent story entitled, "A Little Story for Gentlemen" The chip box contained a recipe for

Rice pudding, which was highly recommended by a member present. Sarah T. Miller, A C Thomas and Isaac Hartshorne were appointed to read at our next meeting, to be held at "Sherwood" Dec: 8^th 1877 Adjourned.

83rd Meeting

The meeting of the "Home Interest" held at "[Sherwood]" Dec 8^th 1877 was called to order by P. T. Stabler foreman, at 7. 15 P.M. the latest hour on record, It is only natural to conclude that if we continue to gather later & later that our pleasant social, and in many other respects not wholly useless society will soon be numbered with things of the past. The leading, one if not the most interesting feature at this season of the year, had to be dropped for want of time, altho the appointed readers were all present and prepared to do their part. If we have an hour for meeting one might to try to observe it. Of course their are sometimes unavoidable circumstances, that cause delay, but we might all be more punctual if we made sufficient effort. One great mistake we make, is waiting so long for more to arrive, before the meeting is called to order. The minutes were read as usual, and our host answered us, that "his better half" had had everything out of

doors made ready for our inspection but "time & tide wait for no man" Fred Stabler reported hen house, built no doubt in accordance with suggestions made at our last meeting, very satisfactory. Mary T. Bond exhibited some very fine specimens of celery. The same plants, that two months ago, she had hardly considered worth taking care of. The following questions were discussed.

1^st What is the best way to repair cane seat chairs? Cane prefered for comfort, wood for durability. Strips of leather were recommended, but thought to make a more expensive seat.

2^nd Is it best to salt "Tom Thumbs" with hams? Yes tho' some hang up and smoke at once.

3^rd Does any one make "tramps" work for food grain? No get rid of them as soon as possible.

4^th What is it customary to give women helping with hog-killing? 75¢ per day paid by all, and whatever of the scraps, each individual house keeper thought proper to bestow.

5^th Who has used a lard presser? A number present have them of home manifactured. A cast iron one that W^m Scofield has, was highly spoken of.

6^th What must I do with my strawberry bed? Mulch with course manure, having a good deal of straw with it.

7^th Who has plowed garden? Only our hostess. Most of the members thought there was nothing gained