Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1870-1876

only are left to mark a spot where a garden ought to have been. And if we had walked in front of the house where persons not possessing flower gardens usually contrive to make a rose bush or an evergreen contribute to the Home Interest of the place, we might have found the veritable rose bush, but deprived of its branches & tenderest shoots by a botanizing colt, whose tastes for rose buds is only comparable to the tastes of said sheep for the evergreens. Altogether from what we could learn within doors, there appears to be much need of the teachings of this society outside of this house, a garden must be made and protected from the ravages of the beasts & fowls, & the door yard must be improved in some way.

1st. quest. Is it proper to cover a pit at night now? Yes. 2 Does the evaporation of water on a stove in

in a flower room help the plants? Yes 3 How make a garden in a sod field? There was some difference of opinion but a fair summary is thought to be as follows. Plow under well composeted manure in the fall not too deep, & use plenty of ashes on the surface after plowing. Work well in spring & use "excelsior" while planting. One or two mentioned the subsoil plow, but most of the men thought little clay should be stirred. One said a new garden would not be a good chance for roots the 1^st year 4^th What is the time to water plants with liquid manure, before or after blooming? One who had tried it, stated she had used with good effect 3 tablespoonsful of excelsior dissolved in a gallon of water every 3 weeks in the winter before the plants bloomed. 5 Should the limit to the number of our members be diminished? a vote

decided to make the number 20 , 6 The names of Walter H & Carrie Brooke were accepted on our roll , also Jos., & Anna Moore.

Adjourned to meet at Asa Stablers 12 Mo 24^th.

5th Meeting

According to previous arrangements the "Home Interest " met at Asa Stablers on Christmas eve and discussed turkey and doughnuts in a manner quite appropriate to the season. Despite the frequents looks out at the window and wonderings of the few who arrived early only seven members braved the cold night to talk of Home Interests before the hospitable grate of friend Stabler. These were Wm. & Mary Bond, Frederick & Martha Stabler, Walter & Carrie Brooke & F. Thomas.

Summers Osburn, the only visitor, added largely to the humor of the company, & propounded questions in floraculture too profound for even this sage society to elucidate.

It is due to absent members, to add that some were indisposed, some were from home, & others were carrying out the practical teachings of our fraternity by providing a crop of ice while Jack Frost shines. The weather being too disagreeable for outdoor investigations we enjoyed converssation on numerous subjects, and the following questions were asked.

1. How can you dig parsnips and salsify while the ground is so frozen? A drill & pwder were recommended. Some said they ought to have been dug & put in a convenient place before frost in the fall. Others said they keep better in the ground; one

said a common crobar or post digger will take them out handily however hard frozen

2. The same member asked if his wife ought not have had the cellar windows shut this cold night when he came from town? An unanimous yes.

3. What temperature will rose bushes stand ? some know, but most advised some protection when the cold is severe, although instances were related of great hardihood in some varieties.

4. What are the best artificial nest eggs? Porcelain eggs are sold for $ 1.50 per doz turned wood, or chalk eggs are sometimes used.

5. Will frozen cream churn? Yes but the butter is generally whiter and of an inferior quality.

6. How to bring flowers to when frozen: put them in a dark place & sprinkle with water.

7. What is the right temperature for cream