Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 9th May, 1888
Complete Accepted, 15th June, 1888
I, WALTER FRANCIS REID of Fieldside, Addlestone, in the County of Surrey,
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
According to my invention I take fruit (such as apples or pears) which has been
freshly gathered, or is in good condition and without external injury or bruises
and when it is to be preserved at or near the place of growth I prepare a level surface
in a well drained spot, and preferably in the open air, which level surface 1 cover
with a layer of sifted earth or mould. Upon this I place a layer of the fruit to be
preserved. The depth of the layer of fruit should not be more than twice the
diameter of the fruit; a single layer is preferable. Upon this layer I spread uniformly
to a depth of about one or two inches sifted earth or mould.
For small fruit a depth of one inch of earth is sufficient but for larger fruit such
as apples or pears about two inches is generally necessary. Upon this earth or mould
I spread another layer of fruit similar to the lower one, then another layer of earth
and so on alternately with layers of fruit and earth or mould. When the quantity of
fruit stored in this way is sufficient I cover the sides and top of the heap formed as
above described, with earth or mould to a depth of say six inches or to such a depth as
will afford protection from atmospheric influences.
If it be desired or advisable to keep the fruit free from actual contact with the
earth 1 place immediately above and below each layer of fruit, a layer of paper or
some porous fabric or material, or I wrap up each fruit separately in such or similar
material. When the earth is naturally loose and free from stones or lumps it may
be used without sifting, but in most cases sifting is necessary. In places where the
ID
1

page_text: ground is sufficiently dry I in some cases make an excavation deep enough to accom-
modate the fruit to be preserved together with the alternate layers of earth and in this
case it is not necessary to cover the sides of the heap, but only the top.
When fruit preserved in this manner is to be conveyed to a distance it is packed in
cases or boxes provided with mould as above described, and if very high or low
temperatures are not to be provided against the outer layer of earth may be reduced
to say two or three inches, and in some cases to less.
The invention is particularly applicable to the preservation of apples and pears
although it can be utilized for fruit generally.
Dated this 10th J
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method or Process for the Preservation of
Fruit.
I, WALTER FRANCIS REID, of Fieldside, Addlestone, in the County of Surrey,
Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
According to my invention I take fruit (such as apples or pears) which has been
freshly gathered or is in good condition and without external injury or bruises, and
when it is to be preserved at or near the place of growth I prepare a level surface in
a well drained spot, and preferably in the open air, which level surface I cover with a
layer of sifted earth or mould. Upon this I place a layer of the fruit to be preserved.
The depth of the layer of fruit should not be more than twice the diameter of the
fruit, a single layer is preferable. Upon this layer I spread uniformly to a depth of
about one or two inches, sifted earth or mould. For small fruit a depth of one inch
of earth is sufficient, but for larger fruit, such as apples or pears, about two inches is
generally necessary. Upon this carth or mould I spread another layer of fruit similar
to the lower one, then another layer of earth, and so on alternately with layers of
fruit and earth or mould. When the quantity of fruit stored in this way is sufficient,
I cover the sides and top of the heap formed as above described, with earth or mould
to a depth of say six inches, or to such a depth as will afford protection from
atmospheric influences.
.
If it be desired or advisable to keep the fruit free from actual contact with the
earth I place immediately above and below each layer of fruit, a layer of paper or
some porous fabric or material, or I wrap up each fruit separately in such or similar
material.
When the earth is naturally loose and free from stones or lumps, it may be used
without sifting, but in most cases sifting is necessary.
In places where the ground is sufficiently dry I, in some cases, make an excavation
deep enough to accommodate the fruit to be preserved together with the alternate
layers of earth and in this case it is not necessary to cover the sides of the heap, but
only the top.
When fruit preserved in this manner is to be conveyed to a distance it is packed in
cases or boxes provided with mould as above described and, if very high or low
temperatures are not to be provided against, the outer layer of earth may be reduced
to say two or three inches and in some cases to less.
The invention is particularly applicable to the preservation of apples and pears
although it can be utilized for fruit generally.
I am aware that it is not new to preserve vegetables in pits by covering same with
earth, or by placing them in heaps and covering them with earth and straw, I lay no
claim to such a method or process.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In the preservation of fruit, layers of earth or mould on or between which the
fruit to be preserved is laid and the covering of the top and sides of same, when
not treated in an excavation, also with earth or mould, together with the means pro-
vided when desired for separating the fruit from the said earth or mould all substantially
as set forth.
2. In the preservation of fruit the cases or receptacles lined with earth or mould
the said fruit being laid in layers in said cases alternately with layers of earth or
mould whether protected from contact with same or not and covered with a layer of
mould substantially as set forth.