K. DOMESTIC AND HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY. 423 



complished by the exposure of animal flesh to extreme cold. 

 Indeed, the sensation experienced by touching freezing mer- 

 cury is very much that of a severe burn. The experimenter 

 referred to proposes to apply his method to the preservation 

 of meats, first by subjecting them to a temperature of 33 

 Fahr. below zero, and then sealing them up hermetically in 

 tin vessels. Animal substances, kept for a long time in these 

 boxes, on examination proved to be extremely palatable, and, 

 being partially cooked, required but a little additional heat 

 to prepare them for the table. 



The German government has lately been prosecuting in- 

 vestigations into this process as a means of preparing mili- 

 tary and naval supplies, a large quantity suitably senled be- 

 ing placed on board some vessels undertaking a long voyage, 

 with a view of determining more definitely its availability 

 for the purpose referred to. An establishment in Hungary 

 is now engaged in the preparation of meats by this method 

 on an extensive scale. 12 B^A2)ril 1, 1876, 286. 



ANTISEPTIC ACTION OF SALICYLIC ACID. 



In further continuation of his experimental trials of this 

 substance. Dr. C. Neubauer affirms that salicylic acid will be 

 of great value in the preservation of wines, but that it is 

 adapted rather to prevent than to correct or cure morbid 

 changes that have taken place therein. 4: JB^^ept.^ 1876. 



PRODUCTION OF MADEIRA WINE. 



It is well known that for some years past Madeira wine 

 has been almost unknown in the trade, on account of the ex- 

 tinction of the crop of the island consequent upon a long se- 

 ries of bad vintages. The old vineyards were rooted up, and 

 new ones planted ; but of course a long time would have to 

 elapse before any great yield could be expected, and those 

 having in their possession genuine Madeira held it as a great 

 prize. The least period of production extended from 1853 

 to 1857; and from 1860 to 1862 but 500 pipes were pro- 

 duced. At present the production has risen to an average of 

 10,000 or 12,000 pipes, which is about one third that of former 

 years. It is not thought, however, that the quantity will 

 ever much exceed this, since a great deal of the island which 

 formerly -was planted with vineyards is now used for corn 



