272 TI^A^'SACTIO^'s of the American Institute. 



Cronk's Steamer. 

 The coinmittee reported that four dishes can be cooked over one hole 

 of a stove, or on one burner of a gas stove, without imparting anj 

 flavor. For small families, it permits a large amount of cooking ta 

 be done with a small heat. 



Hexamer's Four-tined Hoe. 

 Mr. Sinclair, Croton, N. Y., who is a good farmer, thinks that the 

 handle should be at least six inches longer. One thing is certain, 

 that a set of garden implements is imperfectTwithout one. Among 

 weeds it will do four times more work than a hoe, and much better. 

 The simple truth is, that in a common lifetime one will throw away 

 a jear's hard work for want of it. 



Evergreen Seeds. 



Wm. Hampton, Viola, Iowa, Marion Co. — I bought a few seeds of 

 a traveling peddler this spring, and expect I was humbugged, for 

 though I planted with great care, when I ought to have been planting 

 corn, not one has sprouted. I would like Elsie Meig's post-office 

 address ; if her husband is in want of some of the best and most 

 prolific kinds of raspberry, gooseberry, Concord grape, or seed of 

 good kinds of rhubarb, I would take pleasure in presenting them 

 to him, if he would remit me enough to pay postage, as I feel an 

 interest in those settling in that new country, Kansas ; or, I would do 

 the same to others in a similar situation. This is not an advertisement 

 for I keep nothing of the kind to sell, and I have only a small supply 

 for my own use, but could spare a few to those of small means- 

 These things can be sent without difficulty through the mail, in the 

 winter ; also snow ball, or golden willow. Our county, that a few 

 years ago was new, is now in most parts like an old county, with farms 

 worth from twenty dollars to fifty dollars an acre ; but prairie land, 

 within twelve miles of railroad, can be had for five dollars. 



Adjourned. 



June 23, 1868. 



Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the Chair ; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



Destruction of Grape Vines. 

 F. A. Gates, Cedar county, Iowa, gave an account of planting and 

 treatment of his vineyard. They were covered during the winter ; 

 but now, out of several hundred, scarcely^one good vine remains. 



