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The 312 Meeting of the Home Interest. 7

Met at Plainfield on the 23^rd of May 1899.
instead of the 22nd to which adjournment was made
because of the dearth of help in Whitsuntide.

Unusually cold weather continues with much damp
ness but vegetation moves forward in spite of unfavorable
conditions, evidenced by the contributions from
several gardens brought in response to the suggestion
adopted last month. From Drayton came promising
peapods, a potato plant showing sets, an onion more
than an inch in diameter, beans over a foot tall,
lettuce and a melon plant showing two rough leaves

From Woodbrooke _ strawberries and oxalis plants.
Mt Airy~ radishes of great size and excellent quality-
proved at table later - also thrifty plants of beans and beets.
Willow Heights furnished a sample of early cherries.

The minutes were read as usual and the garden
inspected with interest and pleasure. A long list of
vegetable plants were in a neat and flourishing
condition, and geraniums and other plants turned
out of the conservatory made a brave and attractive
show. After supper the company gathered cosily
about a fire while discussion was opened with a
question in regard to the quantity of nitrate of soda
that should be used to a gallon of water. A table
spoonful is thought about right, but care should be
used to keep it off the foliage. Some preferred to
sprinkle the powder about the plants, the soil
should be dampened when it is so used