Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1870-1876

8^th. What time to lay down a fig tree? In Nov. or when frost wilts its leaves.

9^th. Does any one want cats? They have 10 or 15 at B. H. Willis's that are good if mice are brought to them.

10^th. What to do with cabbage frozen in the ground? Cut off and put in a cellar to thaw gradually; then bury.

11^th. Have any of the members or their friends celery to sell? Dr. Magruder is to raw

12^th Which is best to raise, large or dwarf celery. The Boston Market is recommended being between the two.

Sue Thomas read from Dicken's American notes. B.H.M. failed to meet his appointment. The chip basket gave promise of much entertainment at our future meetings. B. H. M. & Mary T. Bond to read at next meeting. Adjourn to meet at Norwood unless further notice 13^th of 1^st Mo. 1872

17^th Meeting

Not withstanding the roads and length of drive a large number of members & several guests met at Leawood to discuss Home Interest 13^th of 1^st mo. 1872.

After a general discussion of various subjects for some time hoping the rest of the members would appear the meeting was called to order by the appointment of G. P. Thomas as foreman.

The secretary really had the pleasure of reading the minutes of former meeting at this place out of the book they having at last been copied just so far as that meeting.

Questions being next in order were 1st by Dr P. is it policy in young married men as a rule to insure their lives? General sentiment that it is best to do so.

2^nd What to do with the chips? Make a scrap book for the society.

3^rd Is there any way to make flowers do well that are too near the fire? Frequent spinkling of the whole plant, evaporation of water on stove, also a paper screen were recommended. 4^th What positions or shape to dig a pit so the sun will shine in the larger part of the day?

A curved back and straight across the front, square and slope the front to the sun - or the last idea seemed to favor as nearly square as possible.

5^th How often turn a compost heap and how soon after made?

Thomas says every two week The right time is as it cools off, turn and it will heat soon again, or indeed turn as often as a Farmer can.

6^th Do you put alum or salt in

in butter to make it come? Alum a teaspoonful finely powdered to a gal. of cream.

7^th How many pounds of cotton to make a warm comfort - 3 lbs

8^th Has any one experience of success in raising the Hubbard squash Many experience, few succeess.

9th Which is the best Early York or [Saucerwoud?] sweet potato? Early York for yield, [Saucerwood?] quality 10^th Is there any way to keep meat from rusting after tis smoked? None satisfactory. Mary T. Bond read from Friends Intelligencer "Troubles" by H. W. Beaches, B. H. Miller being unavoidably absent Sarah read in his place, "Adhesive Domestics" also from Fd's Intelligences.

Mary E. Moore and Fred Stabler to read at next meeting - Chip basket contained

quite a collection; A short piece of poetry "Our Daily bread," "A protest against stairs" and a copied piece on "Politeness" were chose of most merit.

At 8 1/2 oc we adjourned, to meet at Norwood Feb 17^th 1872. P.R. Stabler Sec.

18^th Meeting

Norwood Feb 17^th 1872. Most of the members present & for guests Mary B. Kirk, Roger and Louisa T. Brooke. After pleasant social chat the meeting was called to order by our host about 5 P.M. and Annie E. Hartshorne made foreman. The following questions were brought before the meeting

1^st How to smoke meat? Every day for three weeks and we will mention that meat should be salted where it will not freeze.