3] 8 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



Several members said the cost of sulphuric acid would exceed 

 the value of the farm. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — I would make layers of brush and 

 bogs, and set them on fire ; the ashes make a most valuable fer- 

 tilizer. 



Dr. Peck. — I have used them as a mulch for fruit trees by cut- 

 ting them up with a sharp, strong spade, and a strong Irishman, 

 into slices. 



Dr. Hexamer. — I would compost them with manure. It will 

 take two years and a half to decompose them. They are first-rate 

 to make a wall for ditches or to build a dam, for they lie more 

 solid and hold water better than stone. 



Liquid Manure. 



Mr. S. B. Scauau, Cortland Co.,N. Y., inquires how best to save 

 liquid manure, and whether it is cheaper to haul muck a mile and 

 a half up hill or to build a cistern. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter believed it better to haul muck for many 

 reasons, and mostly because the compost derived from it is almost 

 indispensable. 



Mr. Thos. Cavauach spoke of a ca^e where a large quantity of 

 muck having been used destroyed a valuable strawberry patch. 

 On a light, loose soil these plants do not run very well, though a 

 soil should not be too hard. 



Mr. P. T. Quinn. — It is important that muck should be thrown 

 out of the bed and left some time for the water to run out of it. 

 After that it is to be hauled and composted with one-third of 

 manure. 



Many who formerl^^ built cisterns for this purpose now do not 

 like them, hence they use muck, which not only thoroughly 

 absorbs the liquid manure, but prevents heating. 



Beet Root Sugar. 



Mr. Reuben Grant, Sumner, Fillmore county, Minn., inquires 

 what is the prospect of making beet root sugar in this country. 

 It is attracting great attention. 



The Chairman and others spoke of it as most certain to succeed. 



Mr. P. T. Quimi. — I was informed to-day that a company has 

 l)een organized in this city with a capital of $3,000,000 to engage 

 in the business in Illinois. 



Mr. N. C. Meeker. — Large works have been erected at Chats- 

 worth, Illinois. They have seen difficulties ; how they will sue- 



