Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-09-04
AGRICULTURAL.

GATHERING AND KEEPING FRUIT. 1t ~
becoming well understood principle that
pears arc improved by being gathered before
fully ripe. Some should approach nearer
maturity than others. Bat early apples
should be fully ripe, nss general rule before
gathering. Late fall aud winter apples
should not be catablc when picked, and all
the late winter varieties should be gathered
when too hard to yield TO the pressure Of
the thumb, and always before heavy fall
ilosts. A dr. time should be selected, il
possible. There will be a few specimens
not yet mature, but you can afford to throw
them out to save the best aud the main crop.
When a good keeping variety bcginsto drop
freely from the tree, as is sometimes the
case, secure the balance Of the crop that
remains on the tree as soon as possible; but
they should not be mixed with those on the
ground mot one should be saved with those
picked. Windlalls will not keep, for in ad-
dition to the injury sustained from the fall
they become heated by lying upon the
ground exposed to the sun and hot air, and
the ripcning process already commenced is
fastening it to rapid decay.
No matter how hot the weather il, an ap-
pie is always cool while upon the tree, and
in that condition should be taken care Of, il
we would have it kept in its most rer.ec;
condition for the full developcmcnt Of all
the delicious juices with which it il so alum
dainty supplied. How to obtain that con-
dtion will be my purpose now TO show. We
Lave seen that it must be gathered LeGOre
it is too ripe, as it is commonly termed but
say before it is ripe, for when it is ripe il is
fit to eat, and that certainly should not bc
the case with winter apples when gather.
cl.
We have also seen that heat liastens Tie
ripening process, and that cold rctards it
Apples should therefore be kept cool, LareIy
10 as not to freeze. A minimum tempera-
ture Of thir,y-four degrees is probably aOou,
right, with as little flunctuation as possible.
1t is not for the purpose Of assuming to
know more than the most Of you about TIC
Lest method Of keeping apples, that | givc
the subject so large a space in this allress,
hut it is to give it more prominence in oui
deliberations than it has heretofore had
regard it as one Of the points very much
overlooked in all meetings Of this kind.
Whether we regard the ripcning process
as vital Or chemical action, it is quite sure
that it should 20 OIL gradual and unchcckeC
until all the good qualities are fully dcvcl
opcd, and when the highest point of excel
lcncc is attained, then the fruit should lc
used. 1t is never so good as whcnjust fully
ripe but it is frequently eatablc for Lon
time. Some varieties become dry anl
nicaly, others tough and leathcry Other.
ly being kept very cool, will frequently re-
main in very cool condition for very long
time, or by the use of artificial means may
lie kept for an almost indefinite period
hold that the ripcnng process once COM
mcnced, goes on, no matter how cold, if frost
is not present, slowly, perhaps, but unin'er
ruptcdly, until full maturity, Hence The
importance of a cool cellar, which should
always be dry and dark. 1t should be fre.
Quently aired when the outside temperature
will allow it. Some varieties are much more
sonsiti"c to this treatment than others -
Tho Wincsap, for instance, which has {
thick skin, may be abused n great deal il
handling and but indiTercntly cared for il
the cellar, and yet it will keep pretty well
that is, it will rot but little, but, if kep
close and warm, it is subject TO fungu
that renders it scarcely tolcraLlc to eat
But if it is kept cool and dry, all its hes
qualities are retained. 1t is also one Of tn
varieties that does best on open shelves. =,
The Belmont, on the other hand, which
regard as one Of the best and most prcf,a
bic apples, is very impatient Of bad trca.
ment. Its skin is smooth and thin. an;
flesh of adelegate texture. Ifroughly han
died and kept in n warm room, it soon de
Gays. If carefalSshanlle and kept in
cool place, it keeps with very little vast
till April or May. Indeed it is with me
one Of the very best Of keepers. - M&iua,
Ec.
- Q ,