Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1899-1902

3

of God's love to us). Though her life was restricted to less than three score years she had lived much.

The beauty in and around her home bore the impress of her mind. She set her ideals high, and she was ambitious to fulfill them as Mother, wife, and friend; her integrity of purpose and loving sympathetic nature endeared her to all who knew her intimately. Especially was she tender and considerate to the brute creation and many were the woes she lessened.

Her ministrations to the poor, the sick, and the suffering, known only to the few, leave the fragrance of her tender heartedness as a memorial to her, for she remembered the

4

injunction "Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth." She had much to live for, but when faced by inevitable death, she accepted it with fortitude and courage, and could look with joy upon the transition and fervently say "Not my will but thine be done".

25

319 Meeting Feb 5^th 1900 Bloomfield

On the evening of Feb 5^th an unusually larfe number gathered at Bloomfield, Twenty six members and ten guests, making a lively growd.

We were so rejoiced to have a baby in our midst. Especially one that knew so well how to behave as Mrs Helen Stablers. The newly elected President not being on time, Asa Stabler was asked to take the gavel. We missed the innaugural address which we hope to have at our next meeting. We will have to excuse his tardiness this time as he had been to the city. He must however he will be more punctual in future, as that we may be able to adjourn at 9.o'clock. Must a society seem to feel the weight of the world upon us, and it takes a certain number of hours to regulate and reconstruct the morals etc of the universe. Fortunately this sitting we confined ourselves to affairs in America for had we ventured to attack those of England, our houses would not have been reached that night. We were much entertained by the reading of both sets of minutes. They were followed by a most fitting and beautiful tribute to our much Conceeded sister and friend. a copy of which has been sent to DR. Thomas. Some may feel that we have great thanks to those who so sbly wrote what we felt deeply but were unable to express. The chips were then called forth. Our lesson from them much appeared to impress us most deeply, was the light in which Cardinal Gibbons held woman. His reasons for keeping his female followers in ignorance is a very strong arguament in favor of equal suffrage. We never however look for advanced thought from members of that denomination.

26

At this juncture we were invited out to tea judging from the length of time spent in the dining room, enjoying the good things spread before us, our host may feel that this feature of the evening was a great success.

The walk to investigate the premises was abandoned. on account of the weather , so we proceeded to gain all the information as possible from questions.

Hallie Bently wanted to know from Nellie Farquhar what luck they had had with their incubator. Nellie expressed her opinion to the effect that their ill-luck was due to the fact that the one who attended the machine did not understand it. She told us of one of her neighbors who owned a Praire State, and had had great success with the hatching

We learned that grape vines and even fruit trees may be pruned, at this early date. Most thought it wise to wait till March to prune grape vines and later on for the fruit trees.

It is very humiliating to find that one of our guests knew so much better how to raise asparagus that the members of the Home Interest, who have been studying this lesson every spring for the last thirty years. We trust that Kate Thomas will profit by what she heard and will produce some fine specimens for the Home Interest. Personally we care little whether she raises it in the field or garden, but if our opinion is asked " We prefer it grew rather than white. She must not forget that plants two years old and of a large variety

27

have proved most satisfactory to Frederic Stabley.

The President of the W. S. Association offered to lend the H.I.B.C. a book which the society had purchased, entitled "The Reminiscences of Susan B. Anthony". This offer was gladly accepted and our thanks returned to M.B. Thomas.

We were told that beef after being dried and smoked, should be wrapped in paper, put in muslin rags, white washed and then kept in a cool place.

Those rushing to get buff cochin and spangled royundos roosters can do so by applying to Herbert Stabler.

The Home Interest was made conspicuous by the many and varied invitations it received to help in reform work. Tickets were produced to the right of us, to the left of us, and finally they burst forth from the center. All clammering to see who could sell the most. We must that each and every one will do in the future as they have in the past by helping all these worthy objects.

One more detaled question or as settled. This century does not close till December 31^st 1900.

Stones put around the shrubbery when planted ought not to prevent its growth. Heavy fertilizing under trees seems to have a tendency to draw the roots of the trees to the surface and therby kill the more delicate roots of the grass. A mixure of Ashs, D.C. Rock and bone dust, was recommended as the best top dressing for lawns.

It was thought best to put wire on top of the faling fence for Dr. Stablers garden. Hedge woven wire fence