PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 227 



and in a warm nook in the garden in spring and summer. A lady 

 can raise little cherry and nectarine trees, and make folks hold up 

 their hands on seeing her fruit. The way to do it I have told. 

 Adjourned. 



October 9, 1866. 

 Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the Chair; John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



Aldricii's Patent Fruit Ladder. 



Messrs. Lippiiicott & Co., presented one of Aldrich's fruit lad- 

 ders, six feet high. This is a double ladder, and has a large and 

 wide platform on the top. It furnishes a place for the basket as 

 well as the fruit picker. It is so arranged as to be used on a hill- 

 side as well as level ground, with equal fiicility. 



The Chairman spoke in high terms of its utility''. 



Mr. John G. Bergen thought it might answer very well for gen- 

 tlemen situated like the Chairman, with a few trees upon a small 

 plot of ground. He did not think it would be readily adopted in 

 place of the old-fashioned ladder by those who have extensive 

 orchards, or pick fruit for market. 



Mr. Solon Robinson said that one of six feet high, like this 

 before us, might answer just as well as the ordinary "step-ladder," 

 and probably no better. When it comes to mounting fifteen or 

 twenty feet high, for his part, he should prefer to have the ladder 

 supported against a tree. 



Preserving Fox-Grapes. 

 Mr. Isaac Hicks, Westbury, Long Island, sent a jar of preserved 

 fox-grapes to show what a good article can be made from that 

 fruit. He says if au}^ of the Club desire it he will furnish the 

 method of preparing it. Some of those who tasted this article, 

 and approved it highly, would be glad to learn. 



Sweet Potatoes. 

 Mr. Solon Robiuson exhibited specimens of sweet potatoes 

 weighing twenty six ounces, grown at his place in East Yonkers, 

 sixteen miles north of the City Hall, for the purpose of inducing 

 others to cultivate this excellent vegetable, notwithstanding the}'- 

 may live further north thau it has been heretofore supposed sweet 

 potatoes could be grown to advantage. I have tried, said Mr. R., 

 twice before, but without success. This j'ear it has been all I 



