Club Minutes: The Home Interest Society, 1870-1876

ourselves. Parents should study the individual characters of their children, in order to control them judiciously. We should not forget that they too are reasoning creatures, & that we do not loose any of our influence over them, by satisfying their judgment but rather increase their confidence in us.

And we should be possessed of great magnaminity & wisdom, when we talk about compelling these little ones to obey us implicitly, as we do God, without dareing to ask questions. It was thought while children are little, & can't reflect, that a little switching or spanking as it is called, served as a very impressive argument in some cases, to secure obedience, but because the stubborn sons of stubborn fathers require a regular flogging, it doesn't follow that the amiable daughters of amiable mothers should have the same.

6th. Is it too late to cultivate strawberry beds? No.

7th Should butter be worked thoroughly dry before salting? Great diversity of sentiment & experience. Use Brine to wash butter. Strode says, don't wash at all.

8th Information wanted, concerning converting old

woolen carpet into new? It can be done, but nothing definite given.

9th. Who has tried kerosene in Starch? A few have tried it, about a teaspoonful to a pt with satisfaction

10th. At what age should children be sent to school? It was thought, that parents who are qualified should teach their little ones to read at home; & it was recommended that parents should exercise their own jugdment as to the exact age at which they should be sent to school.

11th. How do butter makers produce the right temperature in their cream for churning? Most persons put it in a warm room over night; others add warm milk or water.

As has often been the case the appointed readers forgot their appointment. Anna L Moore obliged us by reading from Harper, the Donation Party at Willow Brooke, selected at the time.

M E Moore & P R Stabler were named to read next time. Then adjourned to meet at Dr Thomas' 11th mo 18th 1876.

70th Mtg. Lucknough Nov. 18th 1876.

The rain's decended, and the winds blew, and signs of darkness spread over the earth, and still the zealous Sandy Springers turned out! Drawn together, let us hope, not merely for a social intermingling, as the late, & still later home meeting begining business would indicate, but by a desire to discuss Home Interests in their truest light. Let us bear in mind that of all the societies of which our community so proudly boasts ours is the most important, composed as it is of the fathers & mothers of the present generation. Here, then is our chance, each one being careful to gather up the treads, to wear about ourselves a net work of reform & purity, and increasingly knowledge, - and we cannot afford to loose the opportunity.- No! not one of us! This evening 14 members & a goodly number of guests, including the Bride & Groom were present.

We regret that headache should again have victimized our hostess, not only that we sympathized with her

suffering, but with ourselves in losing her society.

We proceeded to business only 20 minutes later that at the previous mtg. Declining without thanks the first invitation we had ever had to meet elsewhere, we decided that the next H I should be held at Walter H. Brooke's, that place being next in order.

As the weather would not permit out door inspections not even a survey of the new barn, Cornelia Stabler as foreman solicited the following questions, & tho' not of the usual importance, having a tendency toward personal matters, it is still the duty of your Sec, to record somewhat of their import: and while we would never mind that the selection of questions should claim our serious attention, we are not averse to the fact that jollity & fun, are theanswers sometimes most needed & healthful, to care our mothers & tired farmers. The oft recurring yeast question resulted, in Albina Stabler being deputized to purchase several lots of dry yeast, at a place highly recommended by M. E. Moore, her mother in law, to be held by homekeepers as a reserve from which to make their potato yeast, & thus avoid imposing upon their

good natured neighbors.

Should farmers get in their corn & fodder, or plow at this season? The almost unanimous vote said, save the crop already made. Two dissenting voices allowed that there might be considerations that would warrant the plowing first.

Shall Fred Stabler make hedge beside his lane? Hedges are universally admired, & tho not advisable in every case, he should be hedged about to keep the peace.

What labor saving machine seen at Centennial desirable to be brought into house use? Among those mentioned, were the Dish washer, Rotary Butter maker (price $25) Carpet sweeper ($3), clothes washer ($18). adjustable stepladder ($5), Potato Pearer (50c) beside several others; Anna Stabler had used the carpet sweeper, & spoke highly of its merits.

What is the best Agricultural paper? Country Gentleman & Rural New Yorker, both had warm advocates, take one or both by all means.

Shall I take the Rockville Sentinel or Advocate? Whichever you take, you will wish you had taken the other.

How often do house keepers have their kitchen floors washed? Once a week & oftener if needed.

A short story called "Forest" was read by M E Moore, showing