ORCHARDS. 219 



something that may be lifted by the fixed air that escapes 

 during the future fermentation.. 



"In a week, rack off the cider carefully, ceasing the moment 

 you observe it to run muddy ; now stop the cask more firmly. 

 In ten days rack it off a second time, and in fifteen days a 

 third time. In every instance the cask is to be cleaned and 

 perfectly filled; and when filled for the last time, to be bunged 

 close in a deep, dry cellar, never to be moved, until drawn 

 for use. 



''Late cider need not be racked until March, and then one 

 racking, or at the most, two, will be sufficient. 



"Be very careful that no water, not even the little that will 

 adhere after rinsing the cask, is mixed with the cider. The 

 smallest quantity of rain water will render the cider unfit to 

 keep. The addition of any quantity of distilled spirits is not 

 only useless but injurious. 



"Mr. Nail's method is the result of long experience, and its 

 success justifies me in recommending it to the public. I hope 

 it will be tried. 



"I ought to have mentioned that Mr. Nail told me that he 

 had for many years tried various pla"ns for clarifying cider, to 

 prevent its souring, by means of milk, isinglass, scalding and 

 skimming, filtering through sand, &c., and found all useful, 

 but is satisfied that frequent racking or drawing is fiir prefer- 

 able to any other method he has attempted." — J. W. P., in 

 Germantotvn Telegraph. 



HOW TO DRY APPLES. 



The following advice, if carefully followed, will insure a 

 ready market and high prices for this valuable commodity. 



In collecting the fruit for drying, carefully assort it, and 

 select all the sound and perfect apples. Pare and core 

 these carefully, then slice and dry without allowing them to 

 get wet. See that they are not exposed to dust, and as soon 

 as dried, put away carefully until ready for market. Follow 

 these directions as near as you can in every particular, and 

 when you ofi"er them for sale you will readily realize from two 



