PROCEEDINGS OF THE WISCONSIN SUGAR CANE GROWERS' AND MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION. Held in the village of Palmyra, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 25th and 26th days of February, 1880. Pursuant to call, the convention convened at the Bidwell House, and was called to order by the president, O. P. Dow. L. B. Green was present as secretary. Communications from J. H. Clewett, John M. Nash, and others, were read. The programme of the present meeting was read, and it was moved that each article be discussed in the order that they were read. Mr. Chatfield said that good cane can be produced from all kinds of soils. Mr. Patchin thought that soils best adapted for corn were suitable for sorghum cane. Mr. Cartwright would select high and light colored soils. Mr. Clement said that in his section the best syrups are produced from high lands. Mr. Hinkley thought that any good wheat land was well adapted for cane raising. Mr. Grant thought that timbered soils were best adapted for the growing of cane. Mr. Cartwright would plant on any kind of high lands. Mr. Hanson thought that some soils were better adapted to the growth of the cane than others; would prefer a sandy soil for growing cane. ART. 2. Mr. Grant believed in a thorough preparation of the soil; used the barrow much in pulverizing the soil. Mr. Clement concurred in the belief of the last speaker. - ART. 7. Fertilizers. Mr. Green was in favor of fertilizing Mr. Grant and Col soil the year previous to planting cane on it. well were in favor of planting on clover sod. ART. 4. Best variety of seed to be used. Mr. Green was in favor of planting the early varieties of seed, as the Early Golden or Amber. ART. 5. Time of planting and best method of doing it. — Mr. Clement thought it best to plant quite early, as soon as the 10th of May; uses a planter, and plants from one half inch to one inch deep. Mr. Dow thought that the seed should be planted before planting the corn, say between the 5th and 15th of May; believed in using the hand hoe, and when the soil is moist, planting the seed dry from one-half to one inch in depth. Mr. Hodges had had the best success in planting with a one horse planter. Mr. Patchin planted about the 12th of May, and used the hand hoe for that purpose; thought it the best under all circumstances; used the harrow and roller much in preparing the soil. The following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, That it is the belief of this meeting that the earlier varieties of cane, such as Early Amber, or Early Golden, are the best adapted for this locality, and would recommend the same for general use for southern Wisconsin. Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the time for planting cane seed, as a rule, should be as early in the month of May as the conditions will admit. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this convention that the harvesting of cane should be before it is over ripe, but should be well advanced towards maturity, about when the seeds are most generally in a doughey state, or very soon thereafter. Motion of Mr. Johnson, that the substance of the articles read be spread upon the journal of proceedings of this meeting, was carried. Mr. Hanson used no chemicals in the manufacturing of syrup; claimed that the juice should be well skimmed, not allowing any scum to be boiled into the syrup. Others concurred in the above remarks. Mr. Rayn recommended for taking scale from the evaporators, that the use of oil of vitriol, diluted by water, be used in cleaning pans; about one pint to a pailful of water. ART. 3. Fertilizers. Mr. Hanson would use well prepared manure, excepting hog manure, to be applied in the spring, and well worked in the soil. Mr. Grant thought that plaster or gypsum was of little or no benefit to cane; would like the manure in some shape, but prefer it the year previous to planting cane. Mr. Hanson said that he had planted ground to cane for eleven years in succession, and that there had been an increase of yield each year. It was voted that the next annual meeting be held at Palmyra, on the call of the president. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That wc, members of this association, are convinced that the raising and manufacturing of cane into syrup and sugar is profitable, and it has become of actual necessity to the public. Question of Mr. Grant: "What is the best method of filtering juice before evaporation?" Several methods were spoken of, one by using a tub with a false head, that is, a second head loosely fitting the tub, to which is attached a tube reaching to the top of the tub, through which all the juice from the mill passes and rises up through straw, and runs off at the top of said tub, and is conducted to the cistern or tanks. Art. 2 of programme was discussed, and it was demonstrated that we should not be dependent on other states for sugar and syrups, when it can be sufficiently produced at home. There was much discussion on buildings, crushers and evaporators, and many good and worthy machines were brought to the notice of the association. The batch process was most in favor, and the railway evaporator was thought to be a very desirable and convenient apparatus for making syrup. ART. 7. At what stages of development should cane be harvested? Mr. Grant thought that the cane should be ripe when harvested. ART. 13. What was the prospect for a wholesale market for syrups. Much was said, and it was thought that if a sufficient amount was made, a wholesale market would be created by the erection of sugar and syrup refineries for the purpose of refining over crude syrups. Very nice samples of syrup and sugar were exhibited by the following persons: H. Hanson, several very excellent samples. W. P. Clement and O. P. Dow. H. Johnson, agent for Madison Manufacturing Co., Madison, several very fine samples. Geo. Grant, three samples; and Jared Patchin exhibited some excellent syrups and mixed sugar. Mr. Hanson also a sample of sugar. Cartwright & Ward, a sample of syrup. On motion of C. S. Cartwright, the couvention proceedel to the election of officers for the ensuing year. O. P. Dow was unanimously elected President for the ensuing year. L. B. GREEN was elected Secretary. H. HANSON, of Whitewater, was elected Treasurer. For Vice Presidents - W. P. Clement, of Green county; W. W. Colwell, of Jefferson county; H. Johnson, of Madison, Dane county; Geo. Grant, of Rock county; E. P. Hinkley, of Waukesha county. For Executive Committe-W. P. Clement, of Green county; Jared Patchin, of Walworth county; C. S. Cartwright, of Jefferson county. Resolved, That the president and secretary are hereby instructed to procure improved seeds for the use and benefit of the members of this associaticn. Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to our secretary and treasurer for papers read before this convention. The following named persons joined the association : W. P. Clement, Monticello, Green county. Geo. Grant, Janesville, Rock county. John Ward, Oak Hill, Jefferson county. The following table gives the names of manufacturers and the number of gallons that each was reported to have manufactured The horse is undoubtedly coeval with man. We read of him soon after the flood. The first horses brought to this country were by Columbus. They all died either at sea or soon after landing, but in 1539 De Soto, a Spaniard, landed horses in Florida. It is not my intention to trace the history of the horse from the days of Job, who describes him so beautifully, but to show that our interest in him should be enhanced by the fact, that in the world's estimate of values the horse constitutes so |