Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-08-21
Cold STORAGE for Applea.


The farmers Of the West are I'M
debted to the Illinois Experiment Sta
ton for the results of an experiment
that has been going on for some years
to determine the most practical method
of cold storage of apples.
While it is somewhat of "a trick In
good deal of our territory to grow
the finest quality Of winter apples.
there is little difficulty In growing such
sorts as the Dutchess Of Oldenburg and
other fall apples. Farmers here and
there in Iowa have adopted the plan
Of putting these in cold storage, 30
that they can be sold at a profit and
sometimes this profit has been very.
siderable. :.
The object of the Illinois Station has
been to determine whether the. CONNER
cial grower of apples, or an individual
farmer, or several farmers together,
could afford to construct q tcold-storage
house with capacity, Of from 1000
to 5000 barrels, depending upon Ice
and natural temperature for cooling the
same, and do soAat profit. We do
not so into the details Of the expert.
merit, but simply give the conclusions
based on the experience Of several
years as follows:
II. A storage house having capac-
lily of 1900 to 5000 barrels and de-
pendent upon ice and natural temper
AZURE for cooling the same, may be con-
structed for $3,43O4O. Such house
will provide a grower or a community
of growers. cold-storage facilities APP
proximating that found In refrigerating
plants at cost not to exceed twenty
cents a barrel
The smaller grower cannot at
ford to fnsulate an underground cell
lar, as such places are poorly. adapted
to keeping apples compared to other
cold-storage houses.
20. The best temperature for keep
ing apples is 81 degrees.
II. Fruit keeps when allowed to
mature, provided 1t does not become too
ripe.
70. Delay in sorting fruit after pick
ing results in greater loss than where
fruit is stored directly.
&c. 1t is indicated that newspapers.
either printed or imprinted, are the.
most efficient wrappers for apples
placed in cold storage" Il
Make Haste In HayinE.
The nearer hay approaches grass
the better feed 1t makes. To accom-
plish this, it is necessary to cut the
crop early to secure 1t In good condi-
ton. In the first blossom is the ideal
time. Farmers used to think 1t neces-
sary to dry hay excessively before.
storing Advanced ideas have proved
this method entirely wrong. The nat
ural juices Of the hay should be re-
tanned as far as possible. Excessive
drying makes the hay dry and woody,
and removes large part of Its nat
Iural juices.
commence haying usually the last
week In June, says a writer In Farm
and Home, and, weather permitting,
my hay is stored during July. l find It
good plan to put the mower on late
in the afternoon. This leaves 1t for
the first sun in the morning and IL
willis good deal during the night,
which aids the drying next day. tf
cut in the morning heavy with dew, It
takes half the forenoon to get the
water out Of 1t. Some think the dew
will color hay cut In the afternoon, but
1t will not do SO unless cut early
enough to dry considerably.
The middle of the forenoon the
tedder should be put on and worked
until noon. The tedder Is the most
valuable hay tool that we have. With.
out 1t much hay would get wet, that
otherwise Is safely stored in semi dull
weather. Hay dries very fast when
constantly stirred. This Is only posi-
BILE with a tedder. 35sis
BY one O'Clock the hay is ready to
rake and cart, unless 1t is very early
in the season or very heavy hay. In
that case 1t should be put up in good
sized cocks and left until the next day.
when 1t should be opened little ia
air, then carted to the barn. Most OF
the necessary drying has been accom-
plished in the cocks.
There is little danger of hay NOW.
burning from the natural juices; Il
Is caused by introducing hay that has
been wet. For this reason 1t is essen.
tlal that hay that has been wet should
be thoroughly dried before storing.
The quicker hay is cured after cutting
the better 1t is Swale hay requires
more drying than Timothy or clover to
secure it from mow-burning. Swale
should be cut early; it is practically
worthless cut late.