PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 397 



eminent chemists of the country, and the result is that there is not 

 a particle of free oxalic acid in it. He said those men who have 

 denounced this kind of wine know nothing a]K)ut it. He thought 

 this a valuable product of the farm. It is as harmless as milk, 

 and can he made for thirty cents per gallon. 



Considerable discussion followed as to whether the rule should 

 be suspended so as to have the wine handed around. 



The Chair.^— It is unfortunate that the great friend of rhubarb 

 wine is not here to pass on its merits. He is now in Florida. Of 

 course I refer to Solon Robinson. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter. — Mr. Robinson has disaj^proved of this 

 wine from the lirst. Now" I do not call itwine;wt is simply a 

 cordial. I will state what I know. Hundreds of barrels of 

 rhubarb wine have been brought to this city, and it is only sold 

 to mix with other liquors, principally to make champagne. In- 

 stead of its being profitable it will only bring from twenty-five to 

 fifty cents a gallon. 



Mr. N. C. Meeker. — We have a gentleman present from a cele- 

 brated wine district, where much attention has been paid to all 

 classes of wine. His judgment should guide us. I would intro- 

 duce Col. Harris, of Cleveland, editor of The Oldo Farmer. 



Col. Harris. — I have been familiar Avith this wine, and with the 

 attempts at making it for ten or twelve years. It originated as 

 such in Ohio, but it has failed except with those who have the 

 plants to sell. There is a short season when it is two or three 

 years old, and then it is a passable drink, but after that it does 

 not keep. 



Mr. J. R. Sypher. — A house divided against itself cannot stand. 

 When wine-makers dispute regai'ding the poisonous qualities of 

 diflerent wines temperance men rejoice. For we believe that all 

 the various drinks, beer, cider, wine, which in any degree intoxi- 

 cate, have evil tendencies. Even if made pure, the retailer will 

 mix and adulterate, and the only sure course is to touch not, taste 

 not. 



To Make Fkuit Trees Bear. 



The chairman read a letter from John Casey, Seneca Falls, N. 

 y,, who says : In the fore part of April I di-aw a circle tAvo and a 

 half feet from the tree and around it, then dig a trench the Avidth 

 of the spade, cut oti'all the roots, and fill with good soil. Then I 

 slightly slit the first bark on the south side down to the ground, 

 thin out the limbs, and prune to two blossom buds on each limb. 



