PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS' CLUB. 311 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — A.nd because this rhubarb liquor can be made, so 

 say those who have tried, and whose statements may be relied upon, at the 

 rate of 2,500 gallons per acre, and it may be sold at 50 cents a gallon, and 

 give good return. 



Mr. R. H. Williams said that he had been informed that rhubarb wine was 

 nsed to some extent in army hospitals ; that physicians had found that ita 

 peculiar acid promotes appetite for food, while it tends to destroy the appe- 

 tite for alcoholic drinks, and in that case may prove a benefit to the world. 



Tlie Chairman said that the greatest use for this and all cheap wines sold 

 in this city was for the purpose of " extending " imported wines ; that is, 

 for reducing the value of the imported article by additions of other sub- 

 stances, while enough of the original is retained to give the new com- 

 pound character and sale. There is in this city a very large manufactur- 

 ing establishment of this kind. For instance, brown sherry is taken in and 

 pale sherry turned out. Perhaps this rhubarb wine would be a valuable 

 addition to this sherry manufacture. To give the extended wines strength 

 and " body," an article made expressly for the purpose at the sugar houses 

 is added, called " white liquor." It may be considered as rock candy in 

 solution. That rhubarb wine that comes to the city and is sold wholesale 

 is manufactured over again, is pretty certain, as it is never offered at retail. 



Preserving Grafts. 



Dr. Parker, Ithaca, N. Y., said that the best way to preserve scions 

 is to dip every cut end in a strong solution of gum arable as soon as taken 

 from the tree. Then wrap them in paper to send abroad, or put them in a 

 box with sand, and bury in the earth. This is better than in the cellar. 

 There is no need of oiled silk to wrap scions, sent by mail, if they are 

 gummed. 



Mr. Wm. S. Carpenter said that he packed some scions in moss, and 

 wrapped with gum-elastic paper, and they went to France in most perfect 

 order. Strawberries sent in the same way were as fresh when they arrived 

 as though just from the ground. 



Fibrous Plants. 



The Chairman read a letter from Samuel C. Allen, Stryker, Williams 

 county, Ohio, in answer to the inquiry- elicited by the old report to the New 

 York Legislature, which Mr. Solon Robinson read some weeks since in rela- 

 tion to a new fibrous plant discovered by Charles Whitlow. Mr. Allen 

 says that Benjamin Benson, Townsend, Huron county, Ohio, was well 

 acquainted with Mr. Whitlow, and has seen the plant, which was described 

 in Niles's Register, Vol. 3, page 188, and named C/V^ica Whitlowi, and was 

 highly recommended by committees of scientific men. The fibre was very 

 white and strong, and it was thought at the time that the discovery would 

 prove of immense advantage to the country. The plant has many radical 

 stems springing from one root, of a dark-purplish red or mahogany color, 

 is smooth or glabrous, the leaves lanceolate, serrate, acuminate, sessile. 

 Its natural location is upon moist, or rather swamjjy ground, in the latitude 

 of New York. 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — This information is interesting in a historieal 



