1S69. ] PRESERVING APPLES, PEARS, ETC. 1 Go 



crop of the Whitesmith, and some other sorts, but the Ashton Reds and others 

 that came out early are thin. Currants are very abundant, and so are Rasp- 

 berries, though the canes suffered very much in dry light soils last summer. 



Strawberries will be a much better crop than was expected, for the plants in 

 light soils suffered very much last summer. Here some sorts look remarkably 

 fine, and are full of good large bold flowers. 



From the foregoing particulars, it will be seen that Apricots, Plums, Goose- 

 berries, and, in light soils, Strawberries, will be below an average crop ; and that 

 Peaches, Nectarines, Pears, Cherries, Apples — except on old trees, Currants, 

 Raspberries, and Strawberries on strong land, will be fair average crops. 



Stourton. M. Saul. 



PRESERVING APPLES, PEARS, ETC. 



=>EXT in importance to growing our Hardy Fruits, may be ranked the 

 preservation of them for winter use, whether by amateurs or professional 

 gardeners. In the month of February last, a few prizes offered at one 

 of the Tuesday meetings at South Kensington brought together a 

 considerable quantity of Apples and Pears from various exhibitors ; and this 

 fruit was in so excellent a state of preservation, that the mode of keeping in the 

 different cases was inquired into. The following is a precis, published by the 

 Royal Horticultural Society, of the communications received. 



1. As the flavour of fruit is so easily affected by heterogeneous odours, it is 

 highly desirable that the Apple and Pear-rooms should be distinct. 



2. The walls and the floor should be annually washed with a solution of 

 quicklime, to which common salt is sometimes added. [Salt is objectionable.] 



3. The room should be perfectly dry, kept at as uniform a temperature as 

 practicable, and be well ventilated ; but there should not be a thorough draft. 



4. The utmost care should be taken in gathering the fruit, which should be 

 handled as little as possible. 



5. For present use the fruit should be well ripened ; but if for long keeping, 

 it is better, especially with Pears, that it should not have arrived at complete 

 maturity. This point, however, requires considerable judgment. 



6. No imperfect fruit should be stored with that which is sound, and every 

 more or less decayed specimen should be immediately removed. 



7. If placed on shelves, the fruit should not lie more than two deep, and 

 no straw should be used. 



8. Where especially clear and beautiful specimens are wanted, they may be 

 packed carefully in dry bran, or in layers of perfectly dry cotton-wool, either in 

 closed boxes, or in large garden pots. Scentless saw-dust will answer the same 

 purpose, but pine saw-dust is apt to communicate an unpleasant taste. 



9. With care early apples may be kept till Christmas, while many kinds may 

 be preserved in perfection to a second year. 



