The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-09-14
AGRICULTURAL
How to Dry Peaches.

The peach is a palatable and wholesome !
fruit, and large quantities, the New En- !
gland Farmer says, ought to be preserved
for winter use, and for use next spring, in
March, April and May, a period when ap.
piles will be scarce, and before the new
fruits come in. Atthe South they are dried
as. apples usually are, by being spread on
boards and placed in the open air. This
practice, however, is attended with many
inconvenience; they require a great deal
of care to protect them from the rain and
dews, and are fed upon by flies, bees, wasps
and hornets, beside all the domestic ami
mails that can possibly get at them. The
sun is not powerful enough to destroy the
egg from which the maggot springs, 50 that
when dried and prepared for market, they
have in themselves the element of their
destruction, and sometimes become worth
less and disgusting.
The Shakers. who usually manage their
affairs not only with prudence and econo-
my, but with remarkable neatness, have
drying houses constructed Of stone and
heated by a%'furnace. These are supplied
with shallow drawers with bottoms OF wire
or other gauze, together with movable bars
or fine lattice work on racks, where the fruit
is spread out thin. All insects are thus
kept out, and the fruit is continually dry
ing, no matter what the state of the atmos.
phere may be.
Once or twice during the process Of dry.
ling, the heat should be raised to such a de.
gree as shall destroy the vitality of the egg
which is deposited in the flesh OF the peach
ord ,vh;ob 800 xoN ,.o ,o,,,bl~
means Of preventing.
We do not yet, in this country. use as
much ripe fruit, as an article of food. as
would be conducive 10 economy or health
The Yankee temperament is sufficiently
ardent without the stimulant which a con
slant meat diet affords; to those accusto,n
ed to a large amount Of outdoor exercise
no harm, perhaps, may arise from such
diet. but to the sedentary, it is supposed t
be the source Of many diseases.
But how shall we dry the peaches?-
Some one. in another paper. has asked tn.
same question, and has been kind enough
to answer it himself, 80 we clap down her.
what he has said for the benefit of all whs
desire a good supply of this delicious fruit
"Do your readers know how to dry
peaches? Take those Of the best quality
just as they are ripe enough to eat, halv.
them. remove the stones, and sprinkle owe
F them, in the hollow from which the pit wa:
taken, a little nice sugar; dry them in
brick oven after the bread, &C., is with
drawn.
"They are far better than if dried in tn,
sun. retaining their aroma and favor, ant
besides are totally free from insects. Pre-
pared in this way, from peaches fully ripe
they need no cooking, but are simply soak
ed out in cold water. All the sugar the,
require, (ranging, of course, with the va
riety,) is added while drying. Peache
thus dried and prepared. are only inferio
to the fresh fruit, of which they retain III
flavor in a remarkable degree. Ifyoup pre-
fer, take them not quite so ripe, and pee
the fruit, but the flavor is not so good a
when fully ripe, and is dissipated more il
the process of drying"