Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1930

The 634th meeeting of the Home Internet was held at Overlook on Jan. 28th 1930. We had a good night in the midst of real winter weather. More snow than some of us had seen for years. After being greeed by our host and hostess, Larry and Bessie Stabler, our host announced that we would have supper a la cafeteria. We were handed trays and helped ourselves to a very delicious dinner. Our guests were our hosts daughters and son-in-law, the misses Mary, Emma, Lily and Eliz. Stabler,; Mr. amd Mrs. Chas. Bond; Mrs. Newton Stabler and son Stanley; and Robert Miller. Those missed were the Morris', Janneys, Elgar Farquhars, Mrs. Tilton, M.T. Fussell and Chas. Hartshorne.

After the usual social hour the meeting was called to order by Mortimer O. Statbler. The former minutes at Overlook were read and the minutes of the last meeting at Norwood were read and and approved. The next meeting at Roseneath was announced. There was some discussion as to our membership list. We were found to have 17 places so we are to vote on the next name on the waiting list at our next meeting. the Hurrys name was presented to our membership committee. Jean Coulter accepted our invitation to become a town member with Mrs. Coulder and Miss Sallie Brook. Doris Lea sent a note declining membership.

The fore-thought committee was Mrs. coulter: Watch for the ground hog that you may know whether or not to order an extra supply of coal. Then sit and plan your garden. If your ice house is not filled you had better look up a general electric and be ready for those first hot days. The next time we meet someone will have asked "Who has planted tomato seeds"? So quickly do our seasons pass. Maurice Stabler: Snow in perfect condition to put in Ice Houses. Good time to burn out chimneys. Then he read an article on agricultural conditions, and their changes. Up to 80 years ago, an Egyptian farmer could have farmed here in our country; but since the invention of mchinery, beginning with the reaper by Cyrus McCormick in 1847, conditions have rapidly changed. The state agricultural colleges have taught modern methods. While four million have stopped farming, we still have an over production. At one time 90% of the people lived on farms, but now the reverse is the order.

The paper for the evening, by Jean Coulter, was introduced with a very clever parody of Rudyard Kiplings "IF and with apologies to both Kipling and the Home Interest. The lines have been typed and placed in the back of the book. Edward Arlington Robinson and his works were the supject of the paper. Robison has won the Pulitzer Prize three times. Specimens and descriptions of his poems, preceeded by a brief outline of his life were interestingly given.

QUESTIONS: Bessie Stabler. " Will lime in cellar get rid of mice." Lucy Moore says she got rid of one rat that way.

Lucy Moore wanted some information on hauling, splittingup, & & a dead tree. The total cost should be about $3.50 a cord.

Emma Stabler. "What are the best varieties for a small strawberry patch? Premiere and Gandy.

Mrs. Bancroft. "How much sweet pea seed shall I get & where?" Four oz. for fifty ft. Get Burpees'

Then we adjourned. Margaret F. Fussell.

If I could call upon the muses daily and they'd inspire my work and make it good, If I could write and stoke a funace too but stoke it well, and not forget the draft, If I could only plan my paper while I shoveled snow or refereed some games or fed some birds outside the kitchen window or cranked the ford and christened it with names;

If I could only hunt up one nice poem I want for reference, and not stop to read A thousand others I chance to see; If I could only read as fast as lightning And write as fast, or faster, than I read; If I could study in the libe, nor wonder Why one man's coat is torn, another's whole And what each man is reading-why he likes it;

If I had all the books at my disposal And all the genious that I need, to write; If I had reams and reams of spotless paper And staks of sharpened pencils, all in sight; If I had perserverance, acumen And less procrastination too, I think I'd have a real excuse for temperament I think I'd write a better paper then.

Jean Coulter

Roseneath, Feb. 1930 On February 25, 1930, 635th. meeting of the Home Interest covened at Roseneath, home of Mrs. and Miss Kirk. All members were present except Faith and Edwin (?), Elizabeth and Elgar Farquhar, Mordicai Fussell and Maurice Stabler. The quests were Mrs. and Mr. J.W. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Wetherald, Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Brooke, Mr. and Mrs. Tarlton Brooke Mrs. Dinwiddie, Elizabeth T. Stabler, Marianna Miller and Robert Miller. After a supper equal to others given us by our two hostesses - what greater praise could be given. William J. Thomas as chairman, called us to order. Minutes of the year ago meeting here were read and those of last month, the latter were approved and Margaret Fussell turned over her secretarial burden to Lucy S. Moore, who not having her glasses very gratefully accepted Edith B. Thomas' kind offer to take notes for her. Every one seemed in as bright a humor as the glorious spring day and an evening full of interest was enjoyed. The Membership Committee recommended the names of Tarlton and Eloise Brooke be place on the waiting list of our organization, giving the names of five families who had signed this recommendation. Anna Farquhar's name was voted upon for membership, Jean Coulter and kind quest Robert H. Miller acted as tellers. She was unanimously elected. A communication from the Community Council was read, telling of proposed amendments to the by-laws asking for our approving vote which was given. Three dollars were collected and paid to Milton Bancroft as our dues to said Council. Edith Thomas as one of the Forethought Committee, gave much information as to the culture of roses and told us it is time to trim grapevines. Elizabeth Ligon again shielded her less energetic husband-in a literary line and gave us the following incentive and highly appreciated eulogy. (at end of these minutes) The Forethought Committee for March will be Norris Fussell and Helen Hallowell. Cynthia Stabler's most interesting essay on the study of 4,000,000 different varieties of insects made us wonder will man or bug inherit the earth. If it is a question of the fittest it will be the bug.

Questions;- Lucy S. Moore asked on what nearby farm had two Indians worked for a year satisfactorily and when they stole away left the top of a willow braided so they might not be forgotten so long as that tree lived. No one knew. Milton Bancroft talked of the desirability of imporving the approach to the Friend's Meeting House. All agreed it would be pleasing and he was told our firemen intended widening and making the entrance from the public road more attractive. Elza B. Thomas - Which would be wiser, to start tomato plants in box indoors or depend on ones from hot-bed? She was advised both ways and report. Allan Farquhar - had an article on weather by Henry Hyde and spoke of early Springs and special days of high temperature that he remembers since 1874. Annie B. Kirk gave us her remembrances, deep snows and more cold and snow than we have had this winter. Margaret Fussell told of the finals of the Teacher's Institue meetings lately held in our neighboorhood when a desire to form a permanent organization was expressed. Bessie Stabler told of evergreens she valued being smothered by barberry. Shall she move barberrry? No answer. She was told not to worry because her iris roots would expose themselves to the weather as it is good for them. Mrs. Weld - When is the best time to prune apple trees? Tarlton Brooke said "Whenever your knife is sharp."

Lucy S. Moore- has an offer for 50 white pine trees. What price shall she take? Ask Maurice Stabler. Adjourned to meet at Tanglewood, March 25, 1930 (Lucy brownden Moore?) Sect'y.F Elizabeth Ligon's forethoughtWith apologies to Jean. If I were a poet as Jean, Or wise as the Janneys are, If I could sing as Edith can, Or play with Cyn on a par, If I had the wit of Faith and Ed. And Mrs. Massey's force. If I had the grace of Elza and Fred, And could write as Annie of course, If I were as quick as Norris or Tilt, Or could manage as Margaret, well, If I had the art of Margaret or Milt, Or were as thoughtful as Duane can be, If I could get poise from Mrs. Weld, And have Lucy ask questions for me, If I were held high as Helen is held, Or as true as William John can be, If Sallie would give me her charity, And Miss Mary add some too, If Bessie would dainty my house a bit, And Harry help the day thru, If Emily would give me a clearheaded thought, And Mort show how to be calm, If Chick wou;ld say his smile could be bought, And Elizabeth how children get charm, If I had the judgement that Maurice has, And the charm that Alice displays, If I had the use of Mr. Fussell's pen, And the deference that Allan pays, If I had Miss Sara's knack with a plant, No sewing, no gardening to do, If I had a child who couldn't say "Can't", Then I'd have a forethought for you,

Tangelwood, Mar. 1930 The members of the Home Interest assembled at Tanlewood for the 636th meeting on March 25th., 1930. We noted that every home of the Home Interest members was represented but that of Elgar and Elizabeth Farquhar. There were present two valued honorary members and ten guests. The habit of serving delicious lamb and other equally good food was followed by our host and we enjoyed it as of yore. The hostess requested Mortimer Stabler to preside. Owing to error the bag containing all literary matter of our club was not present but he was able to flamboyantly carry thru the program not seeming to need any order of business etc.. Of course the last minutes to the meeting at this residence could not be read but those of a month ago were and by urgent request Elizabeth Ligon again read her poetical fore-thought so those who had and those who had not could hear and appreciate her apt mention of each member. The next three places of meeting were read, Springfield, West Cedars and Braemar. Programs for these are; Wintering in Florida, by Mordicai Fussell, Our Gardens, Helen Hallowell, and What Makes an Efficient Farmer of the Present Day?, William J. Thomas The Community Council Report was discussed and ordered placed on record. Delegates were appointed form the Home Interest to attend the next meeting, Garland Ligon, Richard Lansdale and Frederic L. Thomas, also Joe Janney and Helen Hallowell as alternates. Helen Hallowell as one of the Forethought Committee announced that Bliss Forbush would lecture on the Bible at the Community House several evenings beginning March 27th. She said the time was at hand to trim roses, plant sweet peas, and brocolli which is easy to raise as cabbage and often bears three successive heads each smaller than the previous one. Paint porch chairs, put up bird boxes and baths, loosen mulch around plants and kill flies as fast as they appear. Norris Fusselll gave the origin of languages from the Conquest to the 14 th. century. French was used by the nobility and Saxon by common people from which king's english was formed. Mrs. Weld and Joe Janney are the next Forethought Committee. Edwin Morris gave a paper on "Why This Pace?" comparing non-speed of snails with that which kills and of the present compared with the past. Please fill in for yourselves, for while most interesting it was beyond my comprehension.

Questions: Elza had planted tomato seed as instructed and is waiting results. Fred- How close should grape vines be trimmed? Dr. Nichols advised leaving vine cones from last year's growth- they give fruit this year. leave from 40 to 60 buds on each vine. It is not too late to trim. Bleeding does not injure. Last year's bark is smooth, older is scaly. Will it pay to grow grass seed on lawn now? Yes. Scratch and enrich before sowing thickly then roll. Alice Farquhar- What spray should be used on grape vines? Arsenate of lead, a second time when third leaf starts and a third time with hellebore. Mary E. Gilpin- Who will spray a few apple trees? Sam Hill or Granville Thompson. No one could tell her how to get rid of an old auto deposited on her land. Emily T. Massey- Are birds scarce and how can starlings be gotten rid of? A gun causes them to locate elsewhere. Helen Farquhar - Who can she get to color-wash walls? Harry Holland. Douglas Farquhar said do not plant string beans and you may succeed in not having limas destroyed by beetles. Edith Thomas- Hoped we would arrange to have Annals of Sandy Spring continued. She, Allan Farquhar and Hulda Janney were appointed to secure a historian and report.