The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-08-12
"Reminiscences.

The Genesee Farmer reports the following
discussion of the proper manner OF Keeping
grapes, at the meeting of the Western Frui:
Growers Society in K ,che ter, last January
DIR. Perrine was asked how he had preserved
until the present time. the fine specimens he
had on exhibition. He states that he took
boxes that would hold from twenty to twenty
five pounds into the vineyard on bright day,
and there filled tkem and closed up the boxes
by covers, aud carried them away to cool
cellar, where they have remained. He was
careful to reject any punches that were not
thoroughly ripened, and not 10 handle them
much. Grapes are as easily bruised by hand
ling them as any other fruit, although it may
not be perceived, and the bruised spots quick
ly commence decayins.
Judge Larowe had kept grapes we'll BY
packing them IN Two gallon ear, hen Jars with
q bluck at the bottom Of the jar To keea the
grapes from the moisture that always accu
mulated at the bottom more or less. As soon
as the jars are filed they covered and
sealed with wax aud set away in a cool place
Another way he managed was to pack the
grapes in slate. boxes, with alternate layers
Of rye straw, and then place them where the
temperature would be cool and even in this
way he had kept them until April.
Mr.. Changer had not heretofore succeeded
in keeping grapes in dry rooms or in the eel
lar. Last viutayc he picked grapes and plac-
ed them Immediately in boxes holding from
II TO 81 lbs, W. ich were then taken - u barn
aud kept till frcst when the boxes were pack
ed in n large box lined on every side with dry
leaves foot in thickness they are to-day
apparently as fresh as when picked, without
any mould. The boxes were kept open in
the barn until there was danger of their
freezing. In this he kept Isabella, Ca
tlwba and IL kalon, Rebecca. Della aware and
Diaua we're wrapped in ,hin papers, but other
wise treated the sime
Mr. Spence had heard that some kinds Of
fruit kept best when not fully ripe. He OK
hibited some Rebeccas which he had picke
when NO; fully ripe. They were spuader
than those picked later. the favor OF those
which ripeueI fily was better. To keep
grapes long he w0I aid no; let them fully ripen,
but they would not have So good flavor as
those fully ripe.
Mr. j. j. Thomas, o! Union Springs, said
that thirty years ago he had known grapes 10
be- placed in jars OF dry maple sawdust. lie
did not kuoS that sawdu>t was nee ssary.
There are three points to be attended 10 in
keeping grapes well: First, to get them.
Second. 10 have enough of them. or they VII
someh " myste' jOusly disappear before mid
winter. IH!Fi- Inc moisture OF lNc room
where they are kept has much to DO with
their . eserya,ion. end ii we can control this
condition it would be one important point
gained b experiments which | maze This
winter find great difference Of moisture IN
rooms Of the same temperature.
DR.. Sylvester. Of Lyons, had KEEP; grapes
this winter. putting them IN paper boxes on
shelves in room with chimney in It ~hicl
Or; I'd the mir Tn. ora upS vrr. now In fine
condition. butihey we're som -whs; shriyelcdtv
the heat. The iiayyr Wal good Grape,
should be- ripe to be kept well, AMI in good
flavor 10 retain their aroma.
Judge Larowe tasted the grapes OF Nr .
Langwor,h, picked when not ripe, and he /
thou.,il they were not 1T to be eaten, while /
those h. hal LEFT until fully ripe. were no~ /
delicious. The grape Is a fruit that will not .
ripen after picking. The cheapest SAY y /
keep grapes was by packing ia straw after tc- |
ing properly cured ON racks.