Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1892-1895

136 MT. OLNEY 9-2-95 fine barn yard manure, or rich compost. Most people thought that an old field pump is the most satisfactory kind for a well at the house. Potato growers seemed to think it rather risky to leave potatoes, even tho full ripe and perfectly dry so much as six ft. deep in a large cellar during warm weather tho, if they show no signs of heating or moisture may be safe. It was said that if the vines were perfectly dead and only sound potatoes put away that they will surely keep. Dr. Thomas made up for long delay, by reading us a delightful paper on his recent trip to Boston, Bar Harbor, Newport and other points of interest and beauty in New England. The application of Mary B. and Edward P. Thomas for membership was received with many expressions of pleasure and they will be voted on at next meeting, to be held at Mt. Olney, Sept. 30, 1895. Rebecca J. Miller Sec'y.

270 Meeting. Mt. Olney 10-2-'95 The 270 meeting of the Home Interest at Mt. Olney, 10-2-95 was a season of lumination and penance (tho not of fasting!) for its unfortunate secretary. To begin with she was late in arriving and found a full house awaiting her when meeting was called to order at 5:40. She acknowledged her fault and craves your indulgence. But worse than this, she had failed to not[?] the appointment of readers

137 Mt. Olney 10/2/95 for the meeting, greatly to the chagrin of one of our new members who complained afterwards that he had set up nights to prepare himself for his first public appearance in our meeting. For this thing I humbly apologize. Of course if one reader was appointed there must have been two - to the second who is still unremembered no abasement on my part can atone. Therefore I throw myself on the mercy of the readers individually and of the House Interest collectively. And let the first one who object to grant pardon made my success at the election to be held at Lucknough Nov. 4, 1895. However when the Mt. Olney meeting began the minutes were duly disposed of a walk out of doors duly indulged in and supper ditto ditto. Apropos of the application of E.P. and Mary B. Thomas for membership, there was a long discussion of the membership limit but the books not all being at hand for reference, we could not as certain just what rule had been made; but as most members thought 15 couples, the present number was the limit the application was filed to await the first vacancy. To remove iron rust from clothing, apply cream of tartar to the spot, moisten with oxalic acid, and expose to the sun. The dry weather this season has made mushrooms scarce, to the regret of the many who like them. The intelligent but troublesome English sparrow is said to be hard to poison, as he can detect the "[illegible]

138 Mt. Olney 10/2/95. tored" food, repeated firing of a gun will scare them away even if none are killed but as they then settle down on the neighbors, it seems doubtful if a strict interpretation of the Golden Rule would permit this line of action. No one could suggest any way to force celery, which is very backward this season on account of the drought. Quinces may be bought in market as late as November. When the question of attending the Atlanta Exposition and the National W.C.J.U. in Baltimore it appeared that few expected to go to either, tho many wished to. The society advised its members not to buy sweet potatoes in bulk now and try to keep them thro the winter as it is very hard to do unless they have been most carefully handled. E.N. Bentley exhibited some of the bronze variety, prolific and of excellent quality. Asparagus growers here advise cutting the tops of year old plants now, but Henderson says not. It should be mulched at any time and all the time. A new strawberry bed should be mulched with straw or coarse manure a little later. If tomato vines are pulled up put in a heap covered with straw the fruit will ripen, or it may be pulled [illegible] and put in a cold frame. No one had tried any means to prolong the sweet corn season, but the following plans were proposed, but half the roots & lay the stalks flat on the ground, pull up stalks and hang in the cellar; or shelter from frost with a light shed. Dr. Thomas was asked to report results

139 Lucknough Nov. 4 '95. of his experiments. This is the proper time to pick apples for winter use. C.N. Stabler has sugar-cured hams for sale. Sausage may be kept as good as new by frying in cakes and packing in lard; and many like it done up in leaf fat skins. To make a bulb bed dig deep and wide, but use no fresh manure; large bulbs may be planted as deep as six inches. A question [illegible] the sale of sweet cider brought out the emphatic refusal of all present to sell it for any thing but vinegar, and only one person approved of using it at the table. To get poor, washed out soil set in grass it should have liberal application of commercial fertilizer and stable manure; if there is any grass to start with; if not plow and sow oats with grass seed, then fertilize. Again the secretary has no record of readers appointed, but if any were, "let them now speak or else forever after hold their peace." Adjourned to Lucknough subject to the call of the hostess. Rebecca J. Miller, Sec'y 271 Meeting Lucknough 11/4/95 The 271 Home Interest gathered at Lucknough Nov. 4 1895 with the usual lively chat and interchange of neighborly greetings. After hearing the year-old minutes, a part of the company made a hurried trip to the garden; the short autumn day had closed, but through the dusk of early

140 Lucknough Nov. 4-'958 twilight they could see that Lucknough had been over looked by the frost that had unceremoniously visited other gardens in the neighborhood. The Chrysanthemums were marvelous in vigor and abundance of blooms in spite of drought; rose buds graced many of the thrifty bushes, while in sheltered nooks were nasturtiums, verbenas, and other summer favorites still bright with flowers. A promising celery bed received admiring attention. Returning to the house the minutes of last meeting were read and approved. The usual time for the election of officers was at hand, and A.G. Thomas was selected to cast the unanimous ballot for Asa M. Stabler for chairman and Rebecca J. Miller for sec'y R.J. Miller was not present and Asa M. Stabler accepted the position with protest. Chips were then read, noting singular results of earthquakes, the expenditure of $4.00 for flowers to be spread daily over Mrs. Astor's grave, and how Nature is showing the love and the power that man overlooks. Announcement of supper was received with well-founded expectations, and proved that if turkeys will wander provokingly, they manage to come to a toothsome maturity very satisfying to the appetite. A query in regard to the wholesomeness of Irish potatoes called out a variety of remarks but it was too soon after supper for justice to be done that worthy tuber. The Drs. present agreed that it is