PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB./,: 307 



years, and he lias yet to learn that any advantage has been 

 gained by the farmer from its use. He had been informed by a 

 guano dealer that the principal use made of American guano was 

 to adulterate the Peruvian. He advised that it be referred to 

 the committee on frauds. 



The following gentlemen were appointed the committee : Mr. 

 Livingston, Mr. Carpenter and Mr. J. G. Bergen. 



TURNIP SEED. 



The following letter was received from L. E. Reynolds, of 

 Mendon, Illinois : 



" Some three years since I made inquiry of the Institute Farm- 

 ers' Club in regard to some turnip seed, which I had saved from 

 turnips which had lain in the ground through the winter. I had 

 saved some six bushels, and made inquiry if they would grow 

 turnips, or, as some said, charlock — a noxious weed which infects 

 some farms at the east. I was advised by the Club not to sow, 

 or try to sell it, as they thought it not trustworthy. I took 

 their advice in one pa-rticular — I did not sell it; but I have con- 

 tinued to sow it ever since, and shall continue to sow as long as I 

 have any left and it will continue to grow. I think it has been pro- 

 ved conclusively that turnips will not turn to something else, any 

 more than wheat will. I raise as good turnips from said seed as 

 any one else from other seed. The turnips have continued to 

 self-sow on the same ground for four years, and good turnips 

 come every year. I have about five bushels left yet. I sent a 

 bushel to Kansas last year, and my neighbors lay in for a share 

 yearly." 



Solon Robinson. — This is a very important state^nent, as the 

 opinion which Mr. Reynolds says the Club expressed is the one 

 most prevalent among farmers. 



HOW TO MAKE CIDER VINEGAR. 



C. Snekell, of Portage county. Wis., gives the following mode 

 of making cider into vinegar in a speedy manner. 



"To a barrel of cider add one-half barrel of pure rain water, 

 half a gallon of New Orleans molasses, half a gallon of brewers' 

 or domestic hop yeast. Shake it well, and place it in your garret 

 or wood house, near the south side, in as warm a position as 

 possible, without exposing it to the weather. With a bottle 

 inserted in the bung-hole, it will ferment in a short time. Shake 

 t up occasionally. I adopted this mode, and, contrary to my 

 expectations, in six Aveeks I had as good vinegar as I could wish. 



