No. 85.J 305 



for feeding domestic animals. Amoncr some of the best, are Tall- 

 man Sweetinjj^, Winter Sweet Paradise, Sweet Russet, Ladies' Sweet, 

 Danverse' Sweet, and Green Sweet, the latter keeping well till late in 

 the spring. 



Many additions could be made to the preceding list of apples, 

 which the intelligent cultivator will of course vary according to pre- 

 dilections and circumstances. 



GATHERING AND PRESERVING. 



The main secret consists in doing every thing well, whether it be 

 with early fruit, or that intended for long keeping. 



Packing in barrels is generally found most convenient, and espe- 

 cially so for transportation to a distance. A few suggestions under 

 this head may not be unacceptable. Winter fruit should remain on 

 the trees as long as safety will allow, — which will be, in warm and 

 long summers, till they ripen. This is ascertained by examination, 

 and by the commencement of dropping from the tree. In cold or 

 short seasons, the work should be done early enough to secure them 

 from all danger from hard night frosts. Some have gathered them 

 before fully ripe, with the hope of prolonging their keeping ; but 

 their unripe and bad flavor, resulting from such early picking, is a 

 suflScient objection. They should be very carefully picked by hand, 

 by means of convenient ladders, and as carefully placed in baskets. 

 ^Rotting generally commences at bruises ; great care should therefore 

 be taken that the fruit does not receive the least contusion. They 

 are to be carefully laid in barrels, — very gently shaken down, — and 

 when the head is put in it should press upon them sufficiently to 

 prevent all rattling when the barrels are removed. They are not 

 then bruised by rolling or moving them about. This pressure never 

 injures them nor causes them to rot, -if the barrels are not opened be- 

 fore they are needed for use. A layer of straw is found to do more 

 injury than good. The barrels, if forhome use, should then be pla- 

 ced, always on their sides, on the north side of a building, or the 

 coolest place at hand, protected from rain by a covering of boards? 

 until the approach of severe weather, w^hen they are to be removed 

 to the cellar, to remain undisturbed till used. The cooler apples are 

 kept without freezing, the less liable of course they are to decay. 



Apples for domestic use, are preserved a long time with uncommon 

 success, and with undiminished freshness, by placing, first, a layer of 

 chaff on the bottom of the barrel, sprinkled with quicklime, and then 



[Senate, No. 85. J U 



