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On reaching the house all of our members were present
and we had Dr. F. Thomas as guest, the minutes of our last
meeting were read and a circular from the Department of
Agriculture requesting us to elect officers in the spring
of the year and to report to the department when any change was
made, the request was agreeded [sic], to and our present
secretary was requested to serve until next 5th mo to which
he consented

The sum of $2.40 was now raised to buy a minute book
paper &c

Qu[e]s 1 How long shall I let my meat stay in salt and how long
shall I smoke it.
Ans From 5 to 6 weeks in salt and smoke a few days with
hickory wood and corn cobs.
some reccommend [sic] to wash the meat when it is
taken out of salt all or nearly all put Black Pepper
on the hams & sho[u]lders in the ho[c]ks and on the
flesh side be carefull [sic] to rub well near the bones.

Qu[e]s 2 Is the dete[ri]oration in the potato owing to
the season
Ans It was thought to be