178 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



but were soon closed in the morning when I discovered that there 

 had been a slight change in the weather during the night. And 

 now to go on and tell you just what I did from that morning till 

 this would take up too much of your valuable time, but to sum 

 up, I will say that I have managed to keep my cellar from two to 

 five degrees above freezing ; it only reached eight degrees above 

 once. During this time the cellar has had ventilation by means 

 of windows and doors on all sides, and has also ventilation through 

 the top of the roof by means of a flue in the chimney which starts 

 in the bottom of the cellar. The cellar is naturally dry, which is 

 essential to the keeping of apples, as apples kept in a damp cellar 

 will not keep well, even at a low temperature. This cellar is 

 used for fruit only, which enables me to keep it very near freezing 

 point. 



The following are the few important rules that I observe : First, 

 never pick apples to keep when wet, but should I have no dry 

 time in which to pick them, I am compelled to do it. When 

 they are wet, I spread them out in the fruit house till dry. Second, 

 I never put apples in the cellar unless perfectly dry. Third, in 

 December all my apples were sorted over, and have been left 

 undisturbed since then. Fourth, apples are not put in the barrel 

 till a ready market is had, and then they are all sound when they 

 leave my hands, and I know just what customers get, which 

 would not be the case were apples placed in barrels at once, when 

 put in the cellar, and headed up, as has been recommended by 

 some. Fifth, I see that apples are well pressed in the barrel. 

 And now a word to those who may say that I have simply told 

 them what I did, and described my cellar, and said nothing as to 

 the result. I will add that my apples are now in splendid condi- 

 tion, with but very few rotten ones in the cellar. The fruit which 

 I have on exhibition below was kept in this simple manner, and 

 is a fair sample of what I have left at home. 



Mr. Wood — This question of the proper temperature of our 

 cellars is a very important one, as we often have fruit and other 

 things of much value stored in them. I have had considerable 

 experience in this matter, but the results have not been very fa- 

 vorable until the present winter, and I think the reason has been, 



