294 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



two and three-quarter inches in depth, thirty-three inches in length, 

 and twenty-six inches in width; the bottom is made of strips of 

 wood half an inch in thickness, three inches in width, and placed 

 so as to leave a space of three-quarters of an inch between each 

 strip. The four sides are formed with deals three-quarters of an 

 inch in thickness. The strips are nailed lengthwise, and the edge 

 of the two nearest the sides are flush with the outer edge of the 

 sides, so that the trays can be drawn backwards and forwards with- 

 out difficulty. The uprights are joined together in pairs, and of a 

 sufficient length to reach from the floor to the ceiling. These are 

 two inches square, and are joined together by means of strips of 

 wood, to which the rests for the trays are fixed, and there is, con- 

 sequently, precisely the same number of cross-pieces as of trays. 

 The distance from the outer edge of one upright to the outer edge 

 of the other is precisely the same as the length of the trays, namely, 

 thirty-three inches. One of each pair of the uprights is placed next 

 the wall, and the other stands out from it at right angles. The 

 distance between each pair of uprights is half an inch greater than 

 the width of the trays, namely, twenty-six and a half inches, so a& 

 to allow them to slide backwards and forwards easily. The rests, 

 which are made with wood an inch square, extend from the wall to 

 the outer edge of tlie front upright, and are placed nine inche& 

 apart, so that a space of six and a quarter inches is allowed from 

 the top of one shelf to the bottom of the other. The trays, when 

 in their place, may be likened to a chest of drawers, the uprights 

 forming the sides, and the trays the drawers. The number of trays 

 that may be placed one above the other depends entiiely upon the 

 height of the ceiling from the floor ; for, as the fruit is in single 

 layers, and a circulation of air maintained hetween each layer, there 

 may be fifty tiers if the head-room is sufficient; but in practice 

 about a dozen tiers will be the most convenient. The room fitted 

 up here on this principle is twelve feet square and nine feet high ; 

 and although it has shelves on two sides only, it aflords accommo- 

 dation for no less than fifty bushels of apples and pears placed in 

 single layers. 



The trays possess additional value from the fact that they can 

 be taken on a hand-barrow to the trees, and the fruit placed in 

 them, and they can then be returned to the room, and put in their 

 proper place. After this, the fruit need not be handled until it is 

 sent to table, for the trays can be drawn out whenever it is con- 

 sidered necessary, and any fruit that shows signs of decay cam be 

 removed without touching the other. They are also especially use- 

 ful in gathering such soft fruits as are improved by being gathered 

 and placed in a dry room a day or so before sending to table. 



I have given the details as fully as it is possible to give them, 

 and any handy carpenter ought to be able to fit up a room from the 

 description given. If any reader should fail in understanding the 

 principle, I must beg that they will address the Editor for further 

 information, as my duties will not admit of my answering inquiries 

 through the post. 



