140 NATURE STUDY BY GRADES 



What effect does cold weather have upon sprouting seeds ? 

 Then why do we put fruit in cold storage ? 



What effect upon their power to grow has heating seeds 

 very hot ? Then why is fruit put into cans or bottles boiling 

 hot? The can or bottle serves as a skin to keep spores 

 from the fruit after it is canned. If the can or bottle leaks, 

 why does the fruit spoil? 



NOTE. Since we are studying fruits in their relation to seeds, it 

 may not be desirable to discuss the influence of fermentation upon pre- 

 serving fruits in this connection ; it will be correlated better in another 

 place. 



LESSON XIII 



FRUITS DRYING AND PRESERVING 



Have the pupils bring some fruit, and dry it at school. 

 Remove the skin and seeds, or the refuse parts ; weigh a given 

 amount, and put it in such a place as will insure rapid evapo- 

 ration. Weigh the samples at intervals, and note and account 

 for the loss in weight. 



Why should the fruit be spread out and exposed to the 

 air? What happens if it is piled up too thick, or put in an 

 unfavorable place so that it does not dry quickly? Explain 

 why it molds. What forms quickly over a piece of fruit 

 properly placed to dry? What would be the effect if a 

 mold spore, or seed, should come in contact with this dry, 

 skin-like covering? But if this covering is a long time in 

 forming, the spore has time to grow. 



Describe the drying of fruit on a large scale. If possible, 

 visit a fruit evaporator. Show pictures of one and samples 

 of fruit dried in one. Discuss the subject in its social and 

 industrial phases. 



