Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1899-1902

Photograph of The Home Interest Society Sandy Spring Md. Taken at Walbrook, Ashton by Fred. D. Jackson June 19th 1899 Frederick Staber Sadie Brooke Wm. W. Moore Cornelia H. Farquhar Wm. T Thom Sara T. Miller Asa Stabler Lydia W. Haviland Philip T. Stabler Mrs. Harry Davis Benj. H. Miller Catherine Thomas Alban G. Thomas Albina O Stabler Merrit M. Haviland Pattie R. Stabler Harry Davis Mary E. Moore Dr Roger Brooke Mary T Jackson Dr. Chas Farquhar Rebecca T. Miller Granville Farquhar Pattie Farquhar John Thomas Louisa T. Brooke George Floyd Nesbitt Nellie Jackson Mr. Louisa Nesbitt Helen Nesbitt Bessie Thom Walter Brooke Anna Nesbitt [Julie?] Thomas Sue L. Thomas Harriet Thomas Cornelia N Stabler A friend of Mrs. Davis Carrie L. Brooke Barbara [Such?] Tanglewood [Org.?]

1899 Meeting places of The Home Interest

Bloomfield Edward N. & Hallie J. Bentley Brookewood Dr. Roger & Louisa T. Brooke Clifton John & Catherine D. Thomas Drayton Frederick & Martha R Stabler Harewood Arthur and Anna McF. Stabler Leawood Mill Merrit M. & Lydia W. Haviland Lucknough Dr. Francis & Beulah L. Thomas Mt. Airy Benj. H. & Sarah T. Miller Mt. Olney Dr. Charles & Cornelia H. Faquhar Olney Granville & Pattie T. Farquhar Plainfield Wm W. & Mary E. Moore Sunnyside Asa M. & Albina O Stabler Tanglewood Alban G. & Susanna L. Thomas Willow Heights Philip T. and Cornelia N. Stabler Belmont Edward P. and M.B. Thomas Walbrooke Walter & Carrie Brooke

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 qualityproved 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

8 Plainfield

Several varieties of sweet potatoes have been satisfactorily raised by the members and others. Ben. Miller prefers the Eastern Shore potatoes raised by the ble. but others thought the home garden product more economical and very valuable especially where hands are boarded Thirty to thirty five bushels was named as good product from one thousand plants.

Moles are rampant as usual in some lawns and gardens and as heretofore Henderson's mole trap is recommended as the best remedy.

Fred Stabler has been so successful that he received a number of invitations to come over and amuse himself helping to rid his neighbor of the pest.

It was thought that a loose sod might be helped by pounding or rolling. a sealskin that was not properly tanned might be sent to J.F. Tyler Law Building Balto. who is an expert in such matters. No special advantage is claimed for any particular variety of winter cabbage as to keeping quality; the manner of packing up and the winter conditions of temperature and moisture bring the chief points. It seems impossible to find a rule of procedure that will work infallibly under all circumstances - heads turned down in a shallow trench and covered with two or three inches of earth - have kept well and the work may be done rapidly with - a plow. Persistence in pulling every tiny plant will

9 1899

eventually rid a place of morning glories. Lawn mowers like sewing machines are of many names and from the number mentioned every row seems to have me that answers the purpose. A hand to run it at the proper time seems an important factor in the usefulness of any.

The 1^st of June is said to be the proper time to plant parsnips. Lima beans may be planted in a single row if desired. Bush lima beans were commended but they do not seem to be much planted.

Shrubbery may be planted as long as the weather continues cool and damp. Would it pay to replaster the broken places in brick wall? Yes. Cast iron locks for any length of sink may now to had.

A basement that is damp is not suitable as a sleeping place. It is worth-while to try planting salsify in sandy soil. Carpet sweepers have been found very satisfactory by some house - keepers - Wannamaker's costing three and one half dollars was recommended Grand Rapids also a very good kind No one responded to the question as to who would attend the Peace Jubilee. From the asides indulged in, one would gather that it is considered rather a farce with the Philippines war in progress.

Opposition to the proposed Dewey fund was nearly unanomous differing reasons assigned. Rose bloom is scarce this year. Satisfaction was expressed with the telephone service. Adjourned to June 19^th L.W. Haviland secty.