101 



practically tested here, let ns consider what may be better 

 adapted to the wants and means of the fruit-growers of Es- 

 sex county. 



Security against frost is the first requisite, for if our fruit 

 ripens prematurely we have only to eat it sooner, but if frozen 

 it is utterly worthless. Where, as in this climate, the mer- 

 cury sometimes falls to 20 degrees below zero, to afford cer- 

 tain protection against frost the walls should not be less than 

 three feet in thickness, filled with dry tan, sawdust, or other 

 non-conducting material ; or they may be made with two 

 walls, each one foot thick, filled with tan, etc., with an air 

 space one foot wide between. The top and bottom should be 

 built in the same way as the sides, and the bottom made im- 

 pervious to the moisture arising from the earth ; or, better to 

 secure this end, the room may be in the second story of a 

 building. The roof may be of the ordinary description. 

 There should be but one entrance with double doors, six 

 inches thick, filled with tan. The window should not be 

 larger than is necessary to admit the light requisite in stowing 

 and examining the fruit. It should be double and protected 

 by an out side shutter constructed like the doors, and both 

 doors and windows should be tightly fitced ; or perhaps it 

 would be better to omit the window and use only artificial 

 light, which is less stimulating than sunlight. 



Such^a house, when once brought to a proper temperature, 

 will, when closed, retain it for a long time, and never can 

 change it suddenly. Moisture arising from the fruit may be 

 removed by means of chloride of calcium, which possesses the 

 property of absorbing twice its weight of water. It may be 

 spread on the floor or in shallow pans, and, when it becomes 

 liquid, can be dried over the fire so as to be fit to use again. 

 The entrance should be through an ante-room, in which the 

 fruit may be sorted and arranged, and if the quantity is large 

 it would be better to divide the house into two or three apart- 

 ments for the earlier and later ripening fruits. 



It is evident that security from frost might be obtained 



