Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1902-1906

349th Meeting Harewood July 18, 1902

of the H.I. ranged from 23 1/2 to 100 lbs. Then adj. to Harewood August 18th. C.H. Farquhar

On the 18th of July the H.I. meeting at Harewood Among the guests present was Mrs. Clara C. Tofpman of Mo. The mtg was called to order on the quaint old fashioned porch by the Pres. and 1st set of minutes read. A walk followed - in the rose garden a beautiful rose [?] was much admired. The vegetable garden too looked well, a fine show for late tomatoes and lima beans was noticed. The chicks have comfortable poles for sleeping on, they can be removed as they do not touch the house. We also admired a handsome hydrangia which came from Triadelphia in 1837. A thermometer which was made by James K. Stabler and presented to Ed. Stabler in 1825 has hung on the same nail ever since.

Several men timed their watches by the sundial standing in the front yard which was made by our host's father in 1828 and found it still keeping accurate time. The mtg, after a delicious tea, came to order by the stroke of the Pres. gavel and 2nd set of minutes read.

The Forethought Com. advised looking after the 2nd crop of catterpillers. Alban and Sue Thomas

gave an interesting account of their trip up the Sarranac River and their visits to Lakes Placid and Mirror. Aug. is the month for planting pine trees. Strawberry runners should be left on the first year. No known remedy for removing mildew from silk, either was suggested.

Ellen G. has a good receipt of canning corn in glass jars. At what age should a boy be allowed a riffle brought forth a number of answers; the most feasible being at 12 years and go out shooting alone. Almost everyone has had trouble with jelly this year. Like Meg, the jelly would not jell. A little late to sow turnips, but with a trial. An asparagus bed should be filled in the Spring. A good compost for hot beds is made by using alternate layers barn yd manure sod and leaves. Crude carbolic acid will destroy garlic. Spring is the right time for replanting peach trees. 2 year old ones are best. Blackberries have not done well this year. Only 4 of our Co. white wash the entire cellar once a year. It was the general opinion that trees should not be planted in the lot in front of the mtg house. The sum of $10 ws received from a friend to remove the other shed. The coal question will be a severe one next wnter if the strike continues. Then adj. to Mt. Airy Sept. 15th

C.H. Farquhar, Secy.

350th Meeting Mt. Airy Sept. 16th 1902

The 350th meeting of the H.I. convened at Mt. Airy Sept. 16th. The members and guests enjoyed the bright open fire within, quite a contrast to the green velvet lawn without. Beautiful roses from Harewood perfumed the room. The mtg. was called to order by the well known stroke of the Pres. gavel, and 1st set of minutes read.

A walk followed, quite an abundance of tomatoes for this season of the year were seen, also fine grapes. The flower garden was the admiration of all with its beds of Asters as large as Chrysanthemums, fragrant mignonette & sweet elysium. Belmont had a fine display of tomatoes, corn and cow peas. Large ears of corn from Harewood were also on exhibition.

The Forethought Com. told us this was the time for repotting flowers for the house. If jar rubbers are heated before using, the contents of jars are more apt to keep. It is well to keep a book in which the names and dates of loaned books can be kept, and is more satisfactory and certain than one's memory. The following lines could be used as a gentle reminder: "If Thou art borroed by a friend Right welcome shall he be to read, to ponder, not to lend But to return to me."

Kale should be sown & asparagus tops cut off now. Early apples should be picked not shaken from the tree. Air slack lime used with spray pumps has been

tryed for flys on asparagus. Alvan G. Thomas has large stalks of celery already, he says they are all to be eaten on his place. Soft coal and wood cannot be used in a coal stove place if flew is defective. Fred Stabler tryed the experiment of feeding his hens on cow peas and found it increased the egg supply. Canna roots should be put away before the ground freezes. It does not hurt cabbage plants to put [?] green on them. A good receipt for canning corn and tomatoes together is to cook the corn first, then add tomatoes and salt, cook a little longer then one would in canning tomatoes. No one had tryed it. Only 2 had raised Crape Myrtle. Geraniums should be planted in small pots for winter blooming. Notice of Anna Thomas' lecture was given. Jim Grady should build the fireplace and Phillips plaster it. To have a succession of sweet corn for table use, the corn should be planted when 1st planted is 2 inches high and so on. To use for seed it should be husked and hung up, some use goods box with wire netting on ends. Primula [?], & bulbs advised for [?] window in winter. Parents should set their faces like steel against giving children comics sheet in some newspapers. The variety of cantaulope raised should depend on soil and climate. Hackensack and Emerald gem are good for this climate. Dr. Thomas gave us an interesting account of his western trip to California, Oregon, Yosemite and etc. He left us just getting out of the crack, & we hope

351 Meeting Mt. Olney Oct. 20th, 1902

to see him safely home in our next mtg. Some of his trophies were canes of White Birch, black fur and Margaritas also moss. Then adj. to Mt. Olney Oct. 13th C.H. Farquhar, Secy.

The afternoon of October 20th found members and guests assembled at Mt. Olney to enjoy the H.I. welcome which is always so cordially given at this hospitable home of its members, Granville and Pattie Farquhar. Several members were absent, attending the W.C.T.U. in Portland Maine. The Pres. called the mtg. to order and minutes of preceeding year read. A walk to see 17 fine pigs and a large number of chickens in their comfortable homes was taken by the gentlemen of the company. The 2nd set of minutes were read and the chip box claimed us until a delicious tea was announced. A large nasturtium leaf from Walbrooke 9 by 8 was shown as a speciman of the way they grow things there.

The Forethought Com. advised us to hang articles that had been put away with mothballs on a line until their presence was neither seen, felt or heard. Cut grass in flower gardens because if left mice might destroy by making nests in it. It is time to haul coal. These are