Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1892-1895

33 MENDON 2-27-93

at once proceeded to questions.

Cornelia N. Stabler wished to know how Carrie Brooke had succeeded with chickens last year. She did not move her yard and was somewhat troubled with gapes; but she had the yard plowed very often, and was fairly successful.

Asa M. Stabler followed this question by asking what causes the gapes? No one knowing anything beyond the fact that there was a worm in the throat, one suggested the idea that vermin were at the bottom of the whole trouble, but no one agreed with him. Many testified to having been succesful in curing gapes by means of horse hair etc. Mary E. Moore mentioned having hard that lard used as a food was a remedy.

Dr. Farquhar asked if it is time to plant tomato seed. Two persons present had plants already up. some said the 9^th Feb was not too early, tho it is not yet too late.

No one had tried kerosene sprinkled on carpets as a preventative of moths. Some use black pepper. Others merely shake the carpets well and sew them up securely in a bag. Oiled floors will keep moths out of carpets.

No one knew of a good driving horse for sale and John Thomas was advised to advertise.

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for one in the county papers.

The question "Who is our greatest living statesman" called forth a good deal of interesting talk. The vote taken resulted as follows:- Ingalls, 1; Frances Hillard, 1; Gresham, 2; John Sherman ,2; Harrison 3; Cleveland, 5.

Those who had had experience with palms advised that they should be planted in light, sandy soil, kept very moist and constantly enriched.

Will freezias bloom again this year? Pattie R. Stabler said that bulbs that have bloomed in the house will not do well put out; but Sarah J. Miller thought that if planted out while the tops were still green they would do themselves credit out of doors.

Louise J. Brooke wanted to know who had planned to go to the World's Fair, and when. Nine of the present do not expect to go; two expect to go the latter part of the time, one the latter part of June, and six the first week in September.

Roger Farquhar would make a hot bed in the following manner; Let the bed be well bricked up - then put in about 6 in of good fresh horse stable manure, with not too much litter, them about 6 in of leaves, more manure &

35 MENDON 2-27-93

more leaves well trampled down till the mixture is from 18 in to 2 ft thick, moisten well and put the earth on top at once. Plant seed after from 4 to 8 days.

To make poor ground better for a flower garden use good stable manure and plenty of it. Bonedust also reccommended.

A new mode of making a compost for gardens was mentioned. Dig a trench about 2 ft deep and the size of an ordinary hot bed plant and fill with leaves, making a new one each year. In about two years the leaves will have rotted and will make excellent garden mould. Virginia M. Stabler wished to know when to make a hot bed. She was advised to buy her plants and put them in a cold frame, tho they would not be quite so early; but the middle of March is time enough to make a hot bed. For turkey eggs she was told to go to Mrs Riggs above Brookeville.

One of the most interesting questions asked during the evening was whether a boy of 14 should be allowed to take all the money he possessed out of the Savings Bank in order that he might go to the World's Fair. Only one dissenting voice was heard, the general opinion being that he would get

36 MENDON 2-27-93

more for his money in that way than in any other way he could use it.

It is not yet too late to top dress a lawn. If you have many trees, especially maples it may be necessary to top dress every year, otherwise every other year will be often enough. The top dressing should be removed when the grass is well started.

The owner of a frozen aloe was advised to cut off the injured leaves and try to save the plant.

A sickly looking begonia should have the yellow leaves pinched off, and then should be dosed well with manure water. Some water them with soap suds.

They may have Pekin ducks & their eggs for sale at Bloomfield and Longwood and perhaps at Mrs. Kate Janneys.

Three pairs of guineas is about the right number to keep to raise from.

Sarah J. Miller was strongly advised to poison with strychnine the dog that sucks her eggs-; and to try in town to buy pigs tho' she has to pay 5% more than this time last year. Bettie R. Stabler read a very interesting account of Lucy Larcon, the sweet New England postess; and

37 MT AWRY 3-27-93.

Sarah T. Miller filled the place of her delinquent mother Dr. Thomas, by reading the resolutions recently passed by the Wyoming Legislature commendatory of the working of the ballot in the hands of women in that State.

The Home Interest then adjourned to meet at Mt. Airy on March 27, 93. Readers Cornelia N. Stabler. Elizabeth P. M Thom Secy Proterm

244 MEETING

MT AIRY 3-27-93| Again the Home Interest met at Mt Airy - and met not only most of its members, but many guests who added much.

After the reading of the last minutes a walk was proposed, but owing to the cold and damp ground few accepted; our hostess requested some of the gentlemen to take a look at the garden and give her their opinion on several questions, which they did, and reported things in good shape. She also announced that cuttings of their privat hedge were now to be had by any one desiring the same.