lo Sept., 1909.] CooL S/ora(^c of I'ruit. 591 



condition it is less liable to scald, is of better (lualitx , more attractive in 

 appearance, and is worth more money than when it is picked in greener 

 condition. An exception to this statement appears to exist in the case of 

 certain varieties the products of rapddh- growing )Oung trees. Such fruit 

 is likely to be over-grown, and under these conditions the apples may 

 need picking before they reach their highest colour and fullest develop- 

 ment. Uniform colour may be secured bv pruning to let the sunlight 

 into the tree, by cultural conditions that check the growth of tho tree 

 early in the fall, by picking the trees several times, taking the apples in 

 each picking that have attained the desired degree of colour and size. 

 Apples should be stored as quickly as possible after picking, especially 

 if the weather is hot. The ripening which takes place betw'cen the time 

 of picking and storage shortens the life of the fruit in the storage cham- 

 ber. The fruit rots multiph' rapidly if storage is delaved and the fruit 

 becomes heated. If the weather is cool enough to pre\ent after-ripening, 

 a delay in the storage of the fruit may not Ije injurious to its keeping 

 quality. 



The best fruit keeps best in cool storage. When the crop is light it 

 may pay to store fruit of inferior grade, but in this case the grades should 

 Ix- established w'hen the fruit is picked. The bruising of the fruit leads 

 to premature decay. A \arietv mav differ in its keeping qualit\- when 

 grown in different parts of the country. It ma\ vary when grown in the 

 same locality uiider different conditions. The character of the soil, the 

 age of the trees, the care of the orchard, all are factors which modify 

 the growth of the tree and fruit, and may affect the keeping qualitv of 

 the apples. The character of the season also modifies the keeping power 

 &f the fruit. I would advise growers to wrap all varieties of apples so 

 as to prevent wilting. It has been found that the wrapper may influence 

 the keeping quality in several different ways. It extends the life of the 

 fruit beyond its normal period bv retarding the ripening processes. The 

 influence of the wrapper in this regard is apparent, especially at the end 

 of the normal storage season of the naked fruit when the flesh begins to 

 grow mealy from over-ripeness. At this time, the wrapped apples may 

 be firm and remain in prime condition for several weeks, or even months. 

 The wrapper is especially useful in extending the season of early winter 

 sorts, or in making the long keeping varieties available for use over a still 

 longer period. The wrapper mav be useful in preventing the transfer of 

 rot from one apple to another. If the fungus is capable of growing in 

 the storage temperature it is not likely that the wrapper will retard its 

 growth, but when the spores develop they are confined within the wrapper 

 and their dissemination is difficult or practically impossible. 



Variefies. — Five Crown, Rome Beauty, Jonathan, Munroe's Favourite. 

 Pomme de Xeige, Shorland Queen, Stone Pippin, Dougherty, Rokewood, 

 Scarlet Nonpareil, Buncombe, Yates, Stewart's, Morgan's Seedling and 

 Statesman. Good results obtained from three to six months' storage. 

 Temperature. 30'^ to 32" F. 



Pears. 

 Before the advent of the cool storage system, the supply of summer 

 pears frequentlv exceeded the demand. The markets were consequently 

 demoralized in hot humid seasons, especially as regards the early varieties ; 

 for instance, Williams' Bon Chretien, which is a difficult pear to control 

 owing to the rapid manner in which it ripens. It has to be sold immedia- 

 tely to prevent heavy losses from decay. It is absolutely essential that the 

 greatest care should be observed in handling of the fruit, and that it l)e 

 sent with as little delay as possible to cool storage after picking. All 



