152 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



ately. the juice l:»eing put into fresh Avhiskj', or still better, highwine 

 barrels. It is then put into the cellar and allowed to ferment a few 

 days, then bunged up tight and kept from the air as much as possi- 

 ble. After two or three weeks it will have become still and settled, 

 and may be racked by a syphon hose into a clean barrel, at the same 

 time adding a small quantity of antiseptic to prevent further fer- 

 mentation and springing of casks when in transit. It is now allowed 

 to remain still until April ( if not sold before ), when it is again racked 

 oif and barrels cleaned. Then it is allowed to remain until wanted 

 to ship, when it is always racked before moving, 



It being a standard rule with all productions that the best ma- 

 terial makes the best goods, so it is with cider. If 3'ou Avish to pro- 

 duce a choice article you must have good material to make it from. 



Now, in conclusion, I wish to say that of all the various ways 

 I have tried to utilize the fruit of the apj^le-tree, my experience has 

 been that the most satisfactory results have come from the making 

 of a choice article of cider. 



Respectfully submitted, 



G. W. BILLIARD. 



Prof. Budd — What are the antiseptics you use? 



G. W. Hilliard — I use Shaw's antiseptic and salicylic acid. 



Brof. Budd — The question has frequently been asked me. What 

 is salicylic acid? Its name, from Salix, the generic name of the 

 willow, indicates its origin. It is obtained from the bark of many 

 species of willow, and some species of poplar also, and is a powerful 

 antiseptic and entirely harmless. When in London I saw tissue 

 paper which had been soaked in a saturated solution of salicylic acid 

 used to wrap up apples and tomatoes for shipment. 



J. M. Pearson — Is not fifty cents per bushel more than you can 

 afford to pay for cider apples ? 



G. W. Hilliard — I have usually paid forty cents per barrel, but 

 this season paid fifty." 



H. Augustine — What is the law of '79 to which you refer? 



G. W. Hilliard — It relates to the manufacture of alcoholic 

 vinegar, and opens the door to frauds. 



Question — Do you make any use of the pomace? 



Answer — I spread it upon my corn-land with a Kemp's manure 

 spreader. 



