THE VINEGAE PLANT.

Manawatu Herald, 22 October 1889, Page 3

THE VINEGAE PLANT.

• JjJr T* Easton has brought under pur notice the curious fuugus which 'is popularly known as the Vinegar plant. He states that the Germans . make Irequent use of it m the manufacture of vinegar, ar.d this is the process. Three gallons of water £re boiled with sugar averaging two and a half pounds to the gallon, and it is then allowed to get cold This mixture is then put into some .cask and the fungus or vinegar plant placed in it. If it flouts the syrup is the right consistency, if not more sugar after being boiled must be added. Th* plant is left in the water and the opening covered over with paper perforated, and left for three months when the liquid will be most excellent vinegar. According to the colour of the sugar used will be the colour of vinegar. The plant has been described as much resembling the fungus growing on the fallen timder in the bush, but it is soft, and of a very light colour, and the portion Mr Easton ha.. given him was about five inches in c rcimferenoe a °d a*out ona eight of an ibch thick. As the plant lies on the surface of the liquid it grows larger, the new growth representing „ ge'aioe and is very thin, and the whole assumes a dnrker colour. It Js said to be a discovery of Mr Yasteur and h&a b*en the means of creating wealth to the vinegar makers of the continent.

I ' Mr T. P. Williams requim a first elast fe' preiMr »nd scutcher;