208 Jonrruil of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 April, 1916. 



Capacity of Chamber. 



The hot-air capacity of the evaporator above the brickwork is 190 

 cubic feet, approximately, and, provided the full number of trays (88) 

 are placed m the kiln, and with the fruit in single layer on trays, 

 the surface area of fruit exposed for evaporation, allowing that it dries 

 on both sides, top and bottom, is about 800 square feet; but this area 

 soon becomes reduced as the drying process continues, and the rings 

 become contorted and contracted. 



Plate 10. — Peeling machine. 



Peeling, Coring, Slicing, and Trimming of Fruit. 



There are many kinds of peeling and coring machines on the market, 

 but that shown in Plate 10 is one of those most favoured. It is used 

 at Mr. J. Mitchell's drying factory at Wandin, and gives satisfaction. 

 There should be a slot in the machine stand to permit of the skins and 

 cores dropping into a receptacle underneath. The apple, when peeled, 

 drops into the receptacle containing the brine. This machine is so 

 arranged that it can be worked by hand, or power may be applied. 



There are three sets of forks, on which the apples are placed, and 

 they revolve at regular intervals, placing the apple in contact with the 

 peeling knife of the machine. There are various slicing machines in 



