210 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



by nurserymen, a great many of them worthless, and many of them having 

 such a slight difference in appearance and taste that when shown separately 

 the names are confounded. 



Messrs. Mapes, Carpenter and Chambers were appointed the committee 

 to report upon these potatoes. 



How T0 MAKE THE MEETINGS OF THE ClUB MORE INTERESTING. 



Mr. C. W. Carpenter, of Mount Gilead, Ohio, writes: 



" I read the discussions and suggestions of the Farmers' Club with much 

 interest and profit, and would suggest that if the farmers in different sec- 

 tions of the country would write and give their views, experiences and 

 suggestions, the same as if they were present, would it not give a renewed 

 interest? Accordingly I write to you what I know of the sugar cane. 

 The season has been very propitious for ripening the seed; it nearly all got 

 ripe, and there is enough seed saved for two or three years to come. I 

 have seen no syrup that is inferior to the best refined golden syrup; and 

 next year I think there will be twice the area planted that there was this. 

 1 have learned that by pulling out the heads as soon, as they make their 

 appearance, the stalk will ripen sooner by two or three weeks, and will 

 yield more juice of a much better quality. A simple pan, without any 

 apartments or patent fixings, set upon an arch, with handles to lift it off 

 when you have boiled the syrup sufficiently, is the best of all arrangements. 

 You fill it up with raw juice, then boil it down to s^a-up without mixing any 

 raw juice with that partly boiled. The syrup has -none of that raw taste 

 sflk universal with that made on patent evaporators. If it is well skimmed 

 it is equal to the best maple molasses." 



Mr. R. G. Pardee. — The suggestion how to make our meetings more inte- 

 resting, is just what we want. Let us act upon it, and invite such com- 

 munication. 



In accordance with this, the following resolution was adopted: 



" Resolved, That the members of the Farmers' Club of the American 

 Institute cordially respond to the suggestion of Mr. Carpenter, and that 

 we earnestly request farmers, horticulturists and others to write out and 

 send us the results of their careful observations and experiences on the 

 various subjects of practical interest to us all." 



To Prevent Mice and Rabbits Eating Fruit Trees in Winter. 



Mr. Josiah Thompson, of Clinton, Allegany county, Pa., says, a small 

 quantity of slaked lime placed around fruit trees will effectually keep off 

 mice in winter. 



" Take three or four quarts of the lime, and apply it on the surface of 

 the ground, so as to touch the bole of the tree all around, and let it extend 

 out five or six inches from the tree. If there is any grass about the tree, 

 it should first be removed. The mice will, not work on the surface near 

 where the lime is applied, and as it becomes wet by rain or snow it will 

 soak down about the roots, and prevent the mice from working under- 

 ground. Thus, while the lime will prevent their working, both on the sur- 

 face and underneath, it will also be very beneficial in promoting the growth 



