pulled, and requires, as then, to be kept to ripen. The Grapes in appearance, 

 taste and flavor, are in as perfect condition as when put into the house. It is 

 interestincj to witness 2000 boxes of lemons in a perfect condition, when we 

 recall the quantity of such ruined fruit heaped in the street near fruit stores 

 in the city. 



After what I have stated, you observe that I regard your whole process of 

 inestimable value to the community, as tending to render the riches of the 

 summer perennial. 



J. C. BOOTH. 



REPORT OF FROIT COMMITTEE. 



IIoaxicULTURAL Hall, Philadelphia, March 20, 186»). 



The following apples were shown by Prof. B. M. Nyce, of Cleveland, 

 <")hio, having been kept in his Fruit-Preserving House in that place since last 

 Fall: 



Baldwin — Stem green, flesh crisp and not yet perfectly ripe. 



Northern Spy — In perfect order, flesh juicy and perfectly ripe, 



R. I. Greening — Flesh juicy and perfectly ripe. 



Belmont or Gate — A beautiful apple, and of best quality; a desirable 

 sort for propagation. 



A Summer Apple — Supposed to be the Summer June ; a sweet and porous 

 flesh, without much flavor, but perfectly kept. 



Catawba Grapes — Bloom perfect, and flavor unimpaired in keeping. 

 These fruits, the grapes especially, satisfy your committee that fruits can be 

 kept by this process without injury to the flavor for several months after their 

 usual period of maturity. 



Respectfully submitted, J. E. MITCHELL. 



VV. L. SCHAFFER. 



FROM THE PRINCIPAL OWNER OF THE PERU HOUSE. 



Peru, Ind., March VJth. 

 Prof. B. M. Ntce, Cleveland, Ohio: 



Dear Sir: — Your letter of fith inst., is received. I don't know much 

 about the eggs we kept in our house. We had, perhaps, 200 dozen, put in 

 boxes, of about 40 dozen in each, in cut straw. They were put up in April, 

 1865, and opened and sold out in January, 186G. They cost us 10 cents a 

 dozen, and we sold them at home for 25 cents per dozen. Had we shipped 

 them to New York or Cincinnati, we could have realized three times the orig- 

 inal cost. I think they were not turned over more than two or three times m 

 nine months. We regard it so much a success, that we want to invest $5000 

 in them (eggs) this Spring. I used a good many of the eggs at my house, 

 and never have heard of any complaints about them tasting of lemons, oranges, 

 or apples, or anything else. We expect, however, in putting up this season, 

 to put our eggs in ordinary apple barrels, packed in oats, and turning the bar- 

 rels every two or three weeks. 



We bought, last May and June, some twenty thousand pounds of butter — 

 worked it over carefully, so as to get out all the milk and streaks — packed it 

 in tight kegs of about 100 pounds — headed them up tight — shipped them to 

 New York, in February, and sold for 39 cents. Had we not sold until March, 

 we could have sold for 45 cents. It cost us 10 cents. AVe regard the house 

 as valuable for butter and eggs as for fruit, and shall fill our house this sum- 

 mer with eggs and butter. 



I am, very trulv, your friend, 



HARVEY SHIRK. 

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