BuBEAu OF Ageicultuee. 441 



and these were given them by the landlord upon whose 

 farms the fathers raised tobacco. Both these men pre- 

 pared the ground, set out the plants, worked them, and 

 gathered the tomatoes, taking great pride in the fact 

 that the girls were "Canning Club Girls." Lydia 

 Thompson will have more than one hundred and fifty 

 (150) "4 H" cans from her plat, and Jennie Hubbard 

 about fifty (50). 



At Clintonville I found a lady who wanted her niece 

 to belong to the Canning Club, and "learn to do things." 

 As an inducement to other girls, she gave apron goods, 

 one-tenth acre plats, and invited the club to meet at her 

 home every Wednesday. Dinner was provided, a con- 

 veyance sent for the girls and their tomatoes, and every- 

 thing done to make the club a success. 



This club was the only one that met regularly, and 

 they canned peas and beans for several housekeepers, 

 before the tomato season; also made preserves and jel- 

 lies for the State Fair. 



The school at Clay's Cross Roads had closed, but 

 the teacher called the girls together and a club was 

 formed. I distributed tomato seed, and after a few meet- 

 ings I found I could do better work by visiting them in 

 their homes. In this way I became acquainted with the 

 mothers, and found that while they were deeply inter- 

 ested in the success of the girls' plats, in most every 

 case they were already overworked. The "stone" to- 

 mato plants were late, and the girls who depended on 

 them have only a few cans. 



I have responded to every call, and helped can the 

 tomatoes, not allowing any to go to waste. 



One girl was taken sick after her plat was set out; 

 her mother and father could not find time to help, so 

 the crop was lost. 



Another girl tried in every way to keep the chickens 

 out of her plat, but was unsuccessful. Both these girls 

 made the aprons, and were very much interested. 



On every side I have met hearty co-operation, a kind 

 welcome in every home, from the woman of wealth to 

 the mother who "takes in washing," that her girls may 

 have the proper clothing to attend school. I am treated 

 with consideration, and pressed to stay for meals, when 



