92 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



strawberries in a fruit-room constructed on this plan, from June 

 first to the twentieth, in perfect condition for the table ; and he 

 entertains no doubt of its com^jlete success in the preservation 

 of apples and pears indefinitely. Mr. Schooley writes me that, 

 in the month of June, he received several barrels of Bellflower 

 apples, which had been kept for eight months, that were sold in 

 that market, at two dollars and twenty-five cents per bushel. 

 The remainder, out of eight hundred bushels, was sold at home 

 at three dollars per bushel. These apples were purchased at 

 random from the strolling wagons passing through the streets 

 of Dayton, and were more or less bruised by careless picking 

 and transportation. My own experience corresponds with these 

 statements. 



The construction of these rooms is simple. All that is required 

 are walls made of non-conducting materials, with an apartment 

 for the ice above the fruit-room, and with Mr. Schooley's de- 

 scending flues for the cold air, so as to preserve an equalile 

 temperature and moisture, and to hold the ripening process in 

 suspense. The air, by passing over the ice, is deprived of its 

 moisture, and, being cold, and specifically heavier than the sur- 

 rounding atmosphere, falls through his descending flues, and, 

 by a ventilator, escapes on one side of the room, thus creating 

 a temperature not only cool, Init dry. This principle I am 

 informed by a distinguished member of the medical faculty, 

 may be applied to the construction of hospitals with great 

 advantage, so that the air may be kept at a uniform tempera- 

 ture and degree of humidity. 



In these remarks, our object has been to pro\dde against the 

 maturing of fruits until the season when they are wanted for 

 use. Care should, however, be exercised, especially with the 

 pear, and more delicate fruits, not to reduce the temperature 

 much below 40° of Fahrenheit, lest the vital principle of the 

 fruit be destroyed, and the flavor lost. 



Time admonishes me to be brief, but I cannot refrain from 

 alluding to the appropriate location,, soil and treatment, of fruit 

 trees. These are subjects surrounded with mystery, and which 

 can be relieved only by study and personal experience. The 

 importance of thorough draining and perfect preparation of the 

 soil, have not received the consideration they deserve ; especially 

 where its silicious character does not furnish a ready natural 



