PROCEEDINGS OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 375 



The Chairman said that he would rather not have any milk at all, than 

 to use that which had been deodorised by saltpetre, which is sp deleterious 

 to health in whatever form it may be used. 



Mr. Solon Robinson contended that the small quantit}' necessary to use 

 in milk, when so widely diffused, has its poisonous (qualities so neutralized 

 that it will do no harm, and as he has proved its efficacy in correcting the 

 turnip taste in milk, and has not seen any deleterious effects, he shall con- 

 tinue its recommendation. 



A correspondent sends the three following items from Rolling Prairie, 

 Dodge county, Wis.: 



Keeping Bees in the City. 



It is claimed by some that bees can be successfully kept even in 

 the center of as large cities as New York. Mr. Townley is report" 

 ed to have kept them, with success and profit, near the center of New 

 York, surrounded as it is with water. Mr. Langstroth says: "Bees may 

 be kept with great advantage, even in large cities, and those who are de- 

 barred from rural pursuits may still listen to their soothing hum, an-d har- 

 vest annually their delicious nectar. If bees can successfully travel such 

 distances as are necessary to gain the fields and garden* surrounding 

 cities, it is an important matter to the denizens of populous towns. When 

 all saccharine substances are as high as at present, if the town resident 

 can secure his supply of sweets by the keeping in his residence a few 

 hives of bees, it will be an item of domestic economy not to be overlooked. 

 The introduction of the moveable frame will render their management a 

 matter of no great difficulty. If experience proves that they can success- 

 full}^ gather enough stores for their own sustenance, and a surplus for 

 their owner, the denizens of the city ought not to remain in ignorance of 

 the fact. Will the members of the Farmers' Club give them the benefit of 

 their observation and experience ? 



Filtering Cistern Water. 



It seems to be pretty generally admitted that soft water is the most 

 healthful for drinking and cooking pui-poses. Rain water is about the 

 only source of supply in most parts of the country. It then becomes an 

 important matter how it can be cheaply and thoroughly purified. Will the 

 members of the Club enlighten us on a simple and cheap way to purify the 

 waters of our cistetns ? 



Cranberries. 



Can the members of the Club give us any information as to whether this 

 fruit can be successfully cultivated in the dry soil of our gardens ? 



Upon the first of these, the Chairman remarked that bees have been kept 

 to a limited extent in New York for a long time. He has often seen great 

 numbers around the sweets of the wharfs and groceries. They are very 

 fond of working at the bags of Brazil sugar. But city honey is not as 

 good as that made from wild flowers in the country. Bees can be kept in 

 the city at almost no expense, but if very abundant they would be a nui- 

 sance. 



