PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 389 



Comparative Value of Hens and Ducks. 



Prof. Tillmiui read a paper on a trial made in Franco on the 

 comparative value of hens and ducks. The number tried was 

 three of each. During the year the hens laid two Iiundred and 

 fifty-seven and the ducks six hundred and seventeen eggs. 



The Chair. — It is not stated how much damage ducks did to 

 young vegetables. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter, — It is my experience that ducks do not 

 lay one-third as much as hens. 



Mr. E. Baldwin. — The number tried is too limited. 



Dr. Saxton, Brooklyn. — Where ducks live by the side of salt 

 water and get plenty of food they will produce many eggs. 



The Chair spoke of a duck he brought in from his farm in the 

 country and kept it entirely alone in a barrel ; one year it laid 

 forty eggs, the next seventy. 



Fruit-Preserving Houses. 



Dr. J. V. C. Smith spoke of fruit-preserving houses suitable for a 

 family, which he had seen in Boston, and he intended to construct 

 one for himself. They are on the principle of some refrigerators. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — Such are in use in this city by butchers, 

 but as there is a great waste of ice they are too expensive to be 

 popular. 



The fruit-preserving houses erected by Prof. Nyce are coming 

 into extensive use. 



Dish- Washing Machine. 



Messrs. Ilannum & Clark, Homer, N. Y., exhil)ited a machine 

 for washing dishes. The apparatus is of the size of a large tul), 

 containing a wire rack on which the dishes are placed ; there is a 

 device similar to a revolving fan ; it is claimed it will wash four 

 dozen ])lates, or two or three dozen milk pans, in ten minutes, and 

 require no wiping, and never breaking any. The cost for those 

 of galvanized iron is $15, of wood $8. It is on castors, and the 

 dislies are run from one room to another. 



Mr. John G. Bergen.— This looks very well, and for hotels must 

 be vcr}^ useful. But no common family would want it. I have 

 fourteen in my family and can get along avcU without it. 



Mr. E. J. Dodge. — It will take from one to two hours to wash 

 dishes in such a family. 



