COLD STORAGE FOR FRUIT GROWERS. 



such materials therefore should be ap- 

 plied at plandng time. Experience has 

 demonstrated that Nitrate of Soda gives 

 the best results when used in small 

 doses as top dressing throughout the 

 growing season ; in other words, ap- 

 plied at times when just needed by the 

 plant. 



The mineral ingredients, on the other 

 hand, that is, the materials like Acid 

 Phosphate and Muriate of Potash, will 

 not leach out of the soil ; in fact, they 



form combinations in the soil which hold 

 them there. It is best to put on the 

 potash and phosphate at least some 

 weeks before planting time, and then 

 work them lightly into the soil, 



In our opinion if more attention were 

 paid to the proper application of fertili- 

 zers, they would become even more 

 popular than they are at present on the 

 Canadian farms. 



German Kali Works. 



COLD STORAGE FOR FRUIT GROWERS. 



Sir, — I should be pleased to see ia the col- 

 umns of your valuable Journal an economical 

 plan for the building of a small cold storage 

 house, suitable for the preservation of small 

 fruits, such as plums, .pears, grapes, ete. 



H. Lyxe, Clarkubuij 



The experience of the past season in 

 trying to export our tender fruits proves 

 that the best results can only be ob- 

 tained by cooling the fruit before it is 

 wrapped in paper, because otherwise 

 the hot fruit retains its heat when 

 packed, and can at'terward be cooled 

 with great difficulty. 



Besides the importance of a private 

 cold storage house for every fruit grower 

 who contemplates packing for export, 

 such a house will be of the greatest 

 value in holding fruits in the best con- 

 dition for our home markets. Especi- 

 ally does this apply to the Crawford 

 peach and the Bartlett pear, our most 

 popular fruits, because by holding them 

 back until the glut is over, and perhaps 

 until Californian stock ceases to pour 

 into our markets, an advanced price can 

 be obtained. For a simple and econo- 

 mical plan for a small cold storage 

 house, we would refer our reader to Mr. 

 J. W. Robertson, Dairy Commissioner 

 at Ottawa, who furnished us with the 

 plans for the one erected at Grimsby, 



and which cost about $800, and will 

 store about one carload of fruit at a 

 time, and which requires about 75 tons 

 of ice per annum. 



A smaller size could be built for less 

 money. For those who wish to build 

 with the least expenditure of money, 

 and have skill enough to do the work, a 

 description given in Hoards' Dair>man 

 may be of service. Though primarily 

 intended for milk and butter, some 

 slight modifications will adapt it for 

 fruit storage. 



*' For a room of any size make bottom first 

 of 4 or 6 inch flooring ; to start, cut flooiing 

 enough for first course— the width the room 

 is to be and length— take 2x2 strips, lay 

 them down 18 inches apart, and on them lay 

 two thicknesses of best odorless building 

 paper, and on these strips nail the flooring ; 

 turn the floor over, so naked strips will be 

 uppermost (the *trips are three inches shorter 

 all round than the flot.iing) ; now put on two 

 more thicknesses of paper and lay on flooring 

 flush with stiips; cut another set of strips 

 three inches shorter ihan the floor you now 

 have ; lay on these two more thicknesses of 

 paper and put on a last course of flooring. 



" You have now two perfect dead air spaces, 

 which is a better non-conductor than aiiy fill- 

 ing, and will always be sweet. Inside of 

 room sides are put on the same as bottom, 

 except at the corners, where, as a matter of 

 precaution, I aiwajs put an extra thickness 

 of paper as I add the floe.ring. In height of 

 building l«-ave enough room overhead for ice 

 chamber (2 feet 6 inches is about right). Now 

 comes the principal feature of the room, 

 namely, the ice racks. 



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