Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-09-17
Gathering and Keeping Fruit.


gathered before fully ripe. Some sh ould
approach nearer maturity than others
But early apples should be fully ripe, as
general rule, before gathering. Late
fall and early winter apples should not be
eatable when picked, and all the late win
ter varieties should be gathered when too
hard to yield to the pressure OF the thumb
and always before heavy fall irosts. A
dry time should be selected, if possible
There will be few specimens not yet
mature, but you can afford to throw tn EN-
out to save the best and the main crop
When good keeping variety begins to
drop freely from the tree, as is sometimes
the case, secure the balance Of the crop
that remains on the tree as soon as posi-
BILE but they should not be mixed with
those on the ground not one should be
saved with those picked. Windlalls will
not keep, for in addition TO the injury
sustained from the fall, they become hea-
ted by lying upon the ground exposed to
the sun and hot air, aud the ripening pro-
cess already commenced is fastening it to
rapid decay.
No matter how hot the weather is, an
apple is always cool while upon the tree,
aud in that condition should be taken care
of, if we would have it keep in its most
perfect condition for the full development
Of all the deliciocs juices with which it is
so abuudantly supplied How to obtain
it in that condition will be my purpose
now to show. We have seen that it must
be carefully gathered before it is too ripe,
as it is commonly termed but say be-
fore it is ripe, for when it is ripe it is fit
to eat, and that should certainly not be
the case with winter apples when gather
ed.
We have also eeen that heat hastens
the ripenisg process, and that cold retards
it. Apples should therefore, be kept cool !,
barely SO as not to freeze A minimum
temperature of thirty -four degrees is prob
ably about right, with as little fuctuation
as possible.
It is not for the purpose of assuming to
know more than the most Of you about the
hest method of keep apples, that 1 give
the subject so large a space in this address
but it is to give it more prominence in oar
IaI;bo,,,;aa. To- - l,ol
l regard it as one of the points very much
overlooked in all meetings of this kind.
Whether we regard the ripeping pro-
cess as vital or chemical action, it is
quite sure that it should 90 on gradual
and unchecked until all the good quail
ties are fully developed, and when the
highest point eff excellence is attained then
the fruit should be used, Ii is never SO
good as when just full ripe butts frequen'
tly eatable for a long time Some varieties
become dry and mealy, others tough and
leathery. Others,by being kept very cool
will frequently remain in very good
condition for very long time, or by the
use of artificial means may be kept for an
almost indefinite period.
| hold that the ripening process once
commenced, goes on, no IN after how cold
if frost is not present, slowly, perhaps, ,bu
uninterruptedly,u until full maturity. Henc,
the Importance of cool cellar, whicl
should always be dry and dark.
should be frequently aired, when the out
side temperature will allow of it. Some
varieties are much more sensitive to the
treatment than others. The Winesap, 70
instance, which has thick skin, may b
abused great deal in handling and bu
indifferently care for in the cellar and ye
it will keep pretty we'll that is it will re
but little but, if kept close and warm,
is subject to fungus than renders
scarcely tolerable to eat. Bat if it is keI
cool and dry, all its best qualities are re
tanned. 1t is also one OF the varities tha
docs best kept on open shelves, Th
Belmont, on the other hand, which re
gard as one Of the best aud most profta
BILE apple, is very impatient of bad ire al
ment It's skin is smooth and thin, all
nesh Of a delicate texture. II rough har
died and kept in warm room, it soon d,
Gays. If carefully handled aud kept
q cool place, it keeps with very little was
ill April or May. Indeed, it is, with IN
one Of the very best of keepers - Tran
Ind. Hort. Society.
Esl.aAs1Hn@1sssHsnea
UsELEssNEss OF EARTHING UP PoTA
ToEs.-By drawing up the earth over Il