518 TFAySACTWXS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



is there any tiglitener that will adjust itself to the expansion and con- 

 traction of the wire ? In this prairie country it would have two 

 advantages over boards : First, the wind would not rack the posts ; 

 second, the snow would not blockade our streets in winter," 



The Chairman. — This subject has been considered here at length 

 on more than one occasion, as our correspondent will see if he refers 

 to our files. What has been said, if I remember aright, was not 

 favorable. 



Mr. F. D. Curtis. — In my section of the State wire fences have 

 been entirely abandoned. There are various good reasons why this 

 should be so. 



How TO Presekve Geapes. 



Mr. Alexander Palmer, Modena, Ulster county, N. Y. — It is 

 really very desirably to be able to enjoy the luxury of having fine 

 grapes on our tables during the winter. And the best way to pre- 

 serve them, according to my experience, is to take good clusters of 

 perfectly ripe fruit, and, after sweating them in baskets a short time, 

 wrap each cluster in two thicknesses of clean white tissue paper, and 

 pack them in clean, tight boxes four inches deep, holding about half 

 a bushel. Some varieties will keep well in this way till April. 



A Corn Caterpillar. 



Mr. J. H. Wood, of Wallpack Center, Sussex county, N. J. — 

 Inclosed I send for your inspection some worms that infest our corn. 

 They are quite numerous, upon the leaves only, which they eat nearly 

 up. They get upon our hands, and cause the flesh to raise up in 

 blotches; their effect upon the flesh is similar to that produced by 

 nettles, and cannot be got rid of for some days. The species is new 

 to us, and we would like to have the opinion of the Club about them, 

 whether they are poisonous to cattle or not. 



Dr. Isaac P. Trimble. — This letter, with the specimens enclosed^ 

 was referred to me at a previous meeting. The specimens were 

 somewhat dried, but I was able to ascertain the species, and have 

 made rough drawings, as you see. The supposition that it is a cater- 

 pillar — for it is a caterpillar, and not a worm — is natural. If it 

 touches the skin it produces, as our correspondent states, the effect of 

 nettle, though it lasts longer. The idea that it is injurious to cattle is 

 a new one to me, and probably untrue, because the caterpillar leaves 



the corn before the leaves come. 



Adjourned. 



