16 Lessons in Fruit Growing. 



ience in loading and unloading fruit from a wagon, and if 

 intended for the tree fruits, it should have well-lighted as- 

 sorting tables at convenient points. 



As it is important that the temperature of the packing 

 house be kept cool as possible, a location that is shaded by 

 trees is preferable, and the house should generally be ceiled, 

 plastered or papered inside, in such manner as to provide 

 an air space in the wall. Care should also be taken to keep 

 the building free from rats and mice. 



If the house is built in a depression where cool air settles 

 at night, it may be kept considerably cooler than if located 

 on higher ground, but it should be remembered that the 

 location that is coolest in summer will also be coldest in 

 winter. 



19. Storage of fruit. Cold-storage houses are so costly 

 that only extensive fruit growers can afford to provide 

 them. If the grower desires to keep his produce much be- 

 yond its normal ripening period, he will generally do better 

 to place it in a commercial cold-storage house, paying the 

 required rate for the privilege. 



The storage house is most economically kept from freez- 

 ing in severe winter weather by sinking the floor more or 

 less below the surface of the ground. It is generally pre- 

 ferable to do this even in climates of mild winters, because 

 this aids in keeping the storage room cool. The depth to 

 which the floor is sunk below the surface should depend 

 upon the severity of the winter climate. It is neither de- 

 sirable nor economical to depend on artificial heat to keep 

 out frost. The portion of the wall built above ground, 

 whether of wood or other material, should be provided 

 with at least one dead-air space, and if wood is used, a 

 layer of building paper outside and inside of the wall will 



