io6 The Horticidturisf s Rule- Book. 



Grapes, continued. 



and carefully wrap each cluster of grapes. Secure shallow 

 tin boxes ; place a layer of cotton-batting at the bottom, then 

 a laj^er of grapes, then batting ; three layers of grapes are 

 enough for one box, alternating Avith cotton-batting, and 

 topping wath batting ; then gently secure the lid to each box, 

 and when done place in cold-storage for use in April or even 

 later. If cold-storage cannot bo had, put in a dry, cool 

 room, and when cold weather approaches cover in an interior 

 closet Avith just sufficient covering to prevent freezing; 

 warmth will cause over-ripening and deterioration. ■ 



9. Roe's Method. — In a stone jar place alternate laj^ers 

 of grapes and straw paper, the paper being in double thick- 

 ness. Over the jar place a cloth and bury below frost in a 

 dry soil. The grapes will keep until New- Year's. 



Keeping Grapes for Market (W. M. Pattison, Quebec).— 

 It is the generally received opinion that the thick-skinned 

 native seedlings are the only keepers. This is correct as 

 regards preserving flavor, but several hybrids of foreign 

 blood are the best keepers known. Before giving results of 

 this and former trials, instructions in packing may bo of 

 service. The varieties intended to be laid up for winter use 

 should be those alone which adhere well to the stem and are 

 not inclined to shrivel. These should be allowed to remain 

 on the vines as long as they are safe from frost. A clear 

 dry day is necessary for picking, and careful handling and 

 shallow baskets are important. The room selected for the 

 drjing-process should be well ventilated, and the fruit laid 

 out in single laj'ers on tables or in baskets where the air 

 circulates freely, the windows being closed at night and in 

 damp weather. In about ten days the stems will be dried 

 out sufficiently to prevent molding when laid away. When 

 danger from this is over, and the stems resemble those of 

 raisins, the time for packing has arrived. In this, the point 

 to be observed is to exclude air proportionately with their 

 tendency to mold. I have used baskets for permanent 

 packing, but much prefer shallow trays or boxes of uniform 

 size to bo packed on each other, so that each box forms a 

 cover for the lower, the uppermost only needing one. Until 



