Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1858-09-18
How to Make Good cider.


ny of The old orchards have died out, and
the temperance reform has prevented
their renewal The market for fine
fruits has greatly expanded, and nearly
all the trees now planted are for the pro-
duciion Of market apples.
1t took eight bushels of apples 10 make
barrel of cider, and the barrel sold for
only one dollar. Apples now bring eve
~ year from fifty cents 10 enc dollar a
buShel. Fruit growers can hardly be ex-
pecled 10 lament the change that is so
much for their pecuniaIy interest.
Yet cider is suil made all over the
country in small quantities, some for the
apple butter, some for vinegar, and still
more for beverage. When bottled and
properly handled it Is as paatable and
much more wholesome than most of the
wines of commerce. In affections Of The
kidneys it is an excellent remedy, and
should have place in every welI-appOln-
ted cellar. 1t is matter of some lmpor-
lance that what cider is made should be
made in the best manner.
The apples should be well ripened, but
not in the least decayed Every apple
with the least speck of rot in it should be
removed if you wish frsl-raIe beverage.
The decayed and inferior apples may be
reserved for making vinegar. Perfect
cleanliness should be observed in tie
grinding process, which should be per
formed two days before pressing, and The
pomace be permitted to stand and mellow
in the vat until il assumes deep red col
or. Clean dry straw should be used in
forming the cheese. Ii the straw be mus
ty the flavor will be communicated 10 the
Juice. If wafer be added il will make it
hard and unpleasant 10 the taste. The
casks, also, into which it is put for fer
menlation, should be thoroughly cIeansed
and finished off with fumigalion OF hrim-
stone. This is done by burning inside
the barrel a few strips of canvass dipped
in melted birthstone. The fumes will
penetrate all the pores and destroy the
must and correct the sourness.
After the fermentation is over draw of
into clean barrels and clarity it. This
can be done by mixing a quart Of clean
white sand with the whites Of half doz
en- eggs and pint Of mustard seed, and
pouring it into The barrel. 1t may stand
in the BARREL or, if nice Article is wan
ted, it should be put into quart bottles and
corked.
This cider will be fit TO drink in case Of
sickness, and will always bear good
price in market. 1t relalIs at twenty-five
cents bottle, and would bring at least
two dollars dozen by the quantity. This
is much better business than TO make
poor article from decayed apples in So
venly manner and sell it for two dollars a
barrel - RmeIican Agricuiturist.
Solemn Thoughts.
II is a solemn thing 10 awaken in the
middle of the night, perhaps by the wild
beating OF your heart from tnghIiul
dream, and think as you compose your
self again 10 rest, Of the great mystery OF
your spirit of that life which, even as
wapor, is passing swiftly away !; OF time,
which by and by will be no longer-oh I!
i, is solemn thing Yon are wholly
at ease and quiet it may be health un-
interrupted may be yours yet your time
also comeit'to lie down in the dust and
make your beds in ashes" And these
are thoughts, reader, that none can put
utterly away. There are few but some
times ask themselves with the poet, al
though walking erect in the "image of
God" and the full prime of manhood
"And must this body die,
This mortal frame decay
And must these active limbs of mine
Lie mouldering in the clay
But sleep in "dust and cold obstruction" )"
10 lose the sensible warm emotion" aud
all the delights that spring from more
physical sensation, delights low individ-
ual 10 each, how many. how varied J all
these are nothing 10 that great mystery Of
which Death is the key. 1t is not pos.
sible, II seems to us for any man wholly
and a, all times 10 forget that there is
DAY coming, in which God shall Judge
the world in righteousness. :" Yes:
That awful day will surely come,
I he appointed hour makes haste,
- When We must stand before our judge, /
And pass the solemn test
"Come the last hoUr," may the reader
be able 10 say, through pure faith and a
gloFious hope, come the last hour,
Gods good Iiue come death 10 hi. bo'
dy. This frail, falling, dying body !"
Our friend Jones--the indefaGgable-
has been doing homage 10 pair OF bright
eyes. and talking tender things by moon
light, lately. A few evenings since.
Jones resolved "to screw his courage 10
the sticking point" and make his desti-