Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-10-09
Fruit Rooms.

Fruit can not long be kept in the ordina-
ry cellars under dwellings. and if it could
be, the danger from the gases arising
from vegetable decomposition ought to
deter us from storing fruit in these rooms.
There is less objection to fruit cellars un-
der barns and stables, as the ventilation of
such buildings above is more complete,
and the atmosphere is not only purer, but
cooler in summer and winter. If barn
cellar can be arranged on side hill (front-
ing south if possble), and so isolated that
1t is kept free from the odors of manure, it
may be regarded us favorable location
If the barn is thus situated, it will be nee
essary to make an excavation into the side
OF IA hill, fronting south or west, and cover
ii SO as to protect it from frost in winter
The cellar should consist of two apart
ments, and the partition wall may be of
brick or stone, as is cheapest or most con =
venient. The size, of course, will depend
upon the wants of the fruit raiser. A
frost-proof room. twenty feet square and
eight feet high, will hold the products of "A
large orchard, and it may be constructed
cheaply. If two rooms are provided
(Which arrangement is desirable), the first
need not be frost-proof. but may be open
to air and light. The object is to secure a
cool, airy room in which to store fruit
during the late autumn months, and into
the early winter if the weather is mild. A
dark subterranean room, well protected
can not be very dry in moderate weather
therefore it is best to keep fruit us long as
possible in more exposed and drier room
and when zero weather approaches remove
1t into the frost-proof apartment at once
Cold air is always dry air. and the innel
room in winter, if properly ventilated, is
filled with the cold, dry air, but above
freezing temperature. The nearer to 32e
y. the air is kept without remaining at OIL
going below that point, the better.
The walls of fruit rooms may be con
structed of stone, if connected with farm
premises where this material is abundant
or of brick where stones cannot be readi
y obtained. If the stone is employed,
mason to lay up the walls may not be nee
essary, as they may be put up dry ant
pointed with common mortar, work which
any farmer can do. A roof supported by
firm timbers is necessary, aud space be
tween the rough board ceiling and tn,
roof, of one and a half or two feet, fillet
with straw or hay, or dry sawdust, will
} protect from frost unless the climate i
very severe. The roof covering may b,
of ordinary tarred paper, well put on will
battens, and then painted heavily with tai
or pitch. This roof, if well constructed
will last for years. 1t should come as clos,
to the ground as possible. The whole O
the interior room should be protected b,
the ground on the rear end and sides; TIN
front or light room need not be so protect
ed. This should protrude from the hill
and have at least a couple of windows ant
door.
The ventilation of the interior or winte
room should be effected by opening tn
inner and outer doors in mild weather, AM
allowing air to flow in. And here an i'm
portant caution is to be observed-neve
ventilate or open the doors of the winte
cellar on very mild, damp days. selec
clear, dry days, when the thermometer il
just above freezing, for airing the rooms
The reason for this is obvious. If the ali
of the cellar and stored fruit is colder thar
the admitted external air, condensation o
moisture takes place and everything be
comes covered with dew, which is iDjuri
GUS TO fruit. This does not take place or
cold, clear days. Be cautious in the spring
in opening the inner cellar, as by admit
ting warm, moist air, great injury is done