PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 241 



satisfied that wine of quinces is a wholesome beverage, and as this 

 new use for them will increase their market value, their increased 

 cultivation is recommended. 



Cabbage — How to Winter. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — A correspondent asks us the best method 

 of preserving cabbage during the winter. 



Mr. P. T. Quiuu. — The method of preserving celery, described 

 last week, will preserve cabbage. It is also preserved as follows, 

 where the heads only are wanting: It is pulled with all the leaves 

 attached, which are folded closely around the head, and that is 

 placed upon the ground, making a compact row, in some place 

 where surface water will run off freely. It needs two hands, one 

 to hold the cabbage with the roots up, while the other throws up 

 dirt enough to hold it in place. When the row is set, if conve- 

 nient, you may turn a deep furrow each side, or else dig trenches, 

 throwing the dirt over the cabbages, so as to cover all but the 

 roots. Beat the ridg-e solid and smooth. The disadvantaj^e of 

 this plan is, you cannot get your cabbage out in mid-winter. For 

 daily use you can keep some fresh and good, by planting the 

 roots the whole length of the stalk, in a trench in the cellar. 



Wine Vinegar. 



Mr. Nelson Hatch, Holley, N. Y. — "Will the Club please give 

 me directions for making grape juice into vinegar ?" 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — The same process that will make vinegar 

 of cider will make it of grape juice, unless it is very weak in sac- 

 charum, as it often is when the fruit is not fully ripened. In that 

 case it will require the addition of sugar. Its conversion into 

 vinegar will also be hastened by adding a little yeast. In all vin- 

 egar-making, bear in mind that the liquid must be fully exposed 

 to the atmosphere. It is the combination of oxygen with it that 

 converts it into vinegar. The conversion is very rapid when 

 leached through straw or shavings, or dripped a long distance 

 through the air, in a warm room. 



Pear-Growing in Illinois. 



Mr. E. A. Dudley writes from Fern Bluff, near Quincy, 111., an 

 assurance that the pears which were exhibited to the Club some 

 time since were undoubtedly all Seckels, notwithstanding their 



[Am. Inst.] P 



