206 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Putnam county, New York. The juice of^ fruit is condensed in a 

 vacuum pan, exactly as milk is condensed, or as the juice of beef 

 is condensed ; the latter at the rate of 33 pounds into one, which 

 retains all the really valuable nutritious matter of the whole mass. 

 A great many of the wild fruits could be condensed with profit to 

 the manufacturer, and very great profit to consumers. 



Ageicultueal Books. 



Mr. J. Mason Reynolds, West Walworth, N. Y., asks: "Will 

 you publish for the benefit of your rural readers a list of the most 

 standard, suggestive, reliable and interesting works on agriculture ; 

 such as contain ample and various hints and information on all 

 that pertains to the various branches of husbandry. It is plain, 

 sound practical books that we want, those which contain earnest, 

 original, well-authenticated facts, rather than profound science 

 clothed in language farmers cannot understand. We want to 

 know all about sheep, hens, horses, cows, swine, fruit and every 

 department of horticulture and farming. Please indicate such 

 books as would constitute a small librar}^ of good, sound, practical 

 knowledge." 



The advantages of making such a list, and the difficulties of 

 making one, were pretty fully discussed, and the matter submitted 

 to a committee who will give a report at a future meeting. 



Taxideemy. 



Harriet A. Higginson, Benson, Vt. — " I shall be greatly pleased 

 if some member will give the instruction necessary for stuffing 

 birds.-' 



Mr. Solon Robinson — Skin the bird carefull}', without cutting 

 or tearing the skin, cutting off the heads and feet attached to the 

 skin ; scoop out as much as possible from the skull, and fill it and 

 the lower cavities of the legs, and coat the flesh side of the skin 

 with arsenical soap, a preparation of which you can buy at the 

 druggists. This preserves all the animal tissues from decay. 

 Then commence sewing up at the neck, and stuff as you go along 

 with any fibrous substance most convenient, such as hair, wool, 

 cotton, tow. The artificial eyes you must purchase. 



Adjourned. 



