Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-11-16
THE FARM g:
The Carden-..The Orchard.
Storing of Winter Fruit.

them to. That such should be so, becomes
a matter of astonishment, when we recol-
lect that from such fruit the kitchen and
dessert are to be principally supplied for
so long period-at least, so far as the
winter produce of the garden is concerned.
80 that the fruit is gathered and conveyed
to the fruit room, or to some nondescrlpt
structure dignifed with that appellation,
is often all that is cared for. The pertor-
nance of the opeftion is entrusted to Ia
borers and boys, who possess not the least
idea of the importance of their occupation,
or of the manner in which it should be
performed. Stems are plucked ont by
careless gathering, leaving wounds which
soon destroy the fruit. Baskets are heaped
one upon another, bruising the majority
Of the fruit, and inducing ultimate decay.
Good and bad are huddled promiscuousiy
together, to be heaped up in the fruit room,
till leisure, or wet day, gives more tit
ting opportunity to assort them. The lat
ter operation is often delayed till sad in
roads are in the better, as well as the more
inferior Of the fruit.
Where well-kept fruit is desired, too
much care can not be bestowed on the
gathering and storing. In the former op-
Grafton, they should be carefully selected
from the trees at proper season, which a
practised eye will alone ascertain. In the
baskets, or in whatever receptacle they are
conveyed to the fruit room, they should
not be allowed to press one upon another
in too great quantities. None but the very
prime specimens should be associated for
long keeping. All inferior or damaged
fruit should be put aside, to be used imne-
diately, or as occasion requires. When
your fine fruit reaches the fruit room, del
icate handling should by no means be dis
regarded. They should, one by one, be
carefully placed where they are to remain !;
and not, as is often done, turn them out of
the baskets into mass, damaging half the
contents in the process. After storing has
ceased, frequent and careful examination,
at least among the superior fruits, should
be made. Different kinds of fruit exhibit
peculiarities in their mode of decay, and
these peculiarities are constant. Some Of
them are, however, more infectious than
others. Many early ripening pears decay
rapidly, without any outward indications,
becoming what is technically termed sleepy.
Various other kinds, which remain in per-
fection to heightened period, decay nat
urally in like manner. The swan segg
pear decays in spots on its exterior, which
gradually enlarge, till the whole fruit is
rotten. The peculiar flavor of the decaying
portions of this fruit is confined entirely
to itself. The nearest approach to the lat
ter mode of decay takes place in the Rib
stone Pippin apple, especially if stored in
damp and impure atmosphere. Many
kinds of decay-premature decay, and the
most to be dreaded in fruit-room-arise
from the decomposing substance being at
tackled by minute fungi in the form of
mildew These minute vegetables dissem-
mate their invisible germs in nyrials, ever
ready to establish themselves in suitable
situations for vegetating Bruised and
damaged fruit offer the necessary situa-
tions; and, being once established, their
progress is rapid. Speaking of the Rib
stone Pippin as decaying in confined and
impure atmosphere, We may mention an
illustrative instance.
Calling one day at a garden, TIE super
intendent of which was somewhat of the
old school, we were shown into the fruit
room, and our attention was directed to
number Of this fruit, most of which were
decaying in the manner before described;
and the favor Of those nc: decaying was
anything but palatable. The gardener
assured us that he had lost his fruit III
the same manner every season since the
fruit-room was built. We may observe
that the room, which was very small,
appeared to be the receptacle Of all kinds
of rubbish. On the floor were potatoes in
heaps, many of them decayiDg and emitting
no very attractive odors. In one corner, a
quantity of half-rot.en apples in another,
heap Of damp rubbish; there, quantity
of cucumbers and vegetable marrows for
seed, the former half puirid,with numerous
other matters equally foreiGa to well-re-
gulated fruit room But OF the kibstone
Fippins Previously to this fruit-room
being built, the fruit had for several years
been stored in large, airy room, at some
distance from the garden. There, no such
symptoms as have been described evinced