PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 285 



Accumulating Poaver by Wind-Mills. 



Mr. James Bush, Middle River, Madison county, Iowa, asks : 

 " Why cannot a farmer accunudate power by a wind-mill ; wind- 

 ing up weights when the wind blows, to be used in a calm time ?" 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — There is no doubt power can be thus 

 accumulated. But is it necessary ? With a good wind-mill a 

 farmer could do all his work by a little forethought. If power is 

 to be accumulated, perhaps water w^ould be the easiest managed. 

 Pump it up to a higher level to drive your machinery when the 

 wind failed. 



Mr. Lee thought dry sand would be much better than water. 

 It can be elevated in the same way as grain, and then used to turn 

 a wheel. It would have one advantage over water : there would 

 be no trouble from frost. 



Mr. S. Edwards Todd thought the thing impracticable; that sand 

 would not be easily managed. 



Dr. J. V. C. Smith said the idea w^as not a new one. It was in 

 use fifty years ago, or more, in Massachusetts ; only that shot was 

 used instead of sand or water. 



Prof. Tillman. — All these recommendations are very good, if 

 farmers must use wind-mills. However ingenious contrivances 

 may be for using wind power, it is the most expensive that a 

 farmer can adopt. It would be far more economical and satis- 

 factory for him to purchase a small steam engine, which is always 

 trustworthy, less likely to get out of repair, and as easily managed 

 as a wind-mill. 



Hickory Nuts — How to Plant. 



Mr. M. H. Nichols, Hancock, Delaware county, N. Y. : " How 

 can w'e grow hickory nuts ? They have been ti'ied here and failed. 

 The timber is much needed here." 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — Gather the nuts when mature and dry 

 enough to eat. They must not get entirely dry before they are 

 planted, and must not be buried over half an inch deep, in wood 

 mold, covered with leaves. Unless you can keep olfthe squirrels, 

 rats and mice, you are in danger of losing your seed. It may bo 

 kept moist in sand or moss, till Spring. 



Buckwheat — Is it Wholesome Food ? 

 This question called up a very warm discussion. Dr. Peck took 

 the initiative that it was most unwholesome food ; that buckwheat 



