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the dew upon it, and it is not easy to see why fruit cooled on 

 the tree should keep better than that cooled in the house. It 

 will be found a good plan to gather fruit after the middle of 

 the forenoon when the heavy autumn dews have dried, and 

 devote the morning to sorting and arranging what has been 

 picked the day before. 



The most critical time in the management of winter fruits is 

 during the beautiful, warm, damp, Indian Summer days of 

 October and November. They will then need special atten 

 tion to maintain a cool, even temperature and prevent the 

 deposition of moisture. 



The fruit should be placed in tight boxes or casks. It is 

 best not to put more than two layers of pears in a box, for 

 the pressure of the superincumbent fruit not only disfigures 

 that below by flattening its sides, but may even rupture the 

 vessels and cells and thus cause decay. All boxes, casks, etc., 

 must be perfectly sweet, clean and dry. If flour barrels are 

 used they should be thoroughly washed and dried, for the 

 flour which remains after the most careful brushing is certain 

 to mould with the least moisture. When filled the packages 

 should not be moved more than is necessary, and then gently 

 and carefully. All decayed specimens must be immediately 

 removed, and no vegetable or other matter, which would pro- 

 duce unpleasant odor, should be allowed. A fruit room 

 should not be otherwise occupied ; frequent opening and 

 shutting produces injurious changes. 



If it is desired ^to use fruit before it would ripen in the 

 fruit-room, it may be placed in a temperature of from 55 de- 

 grees to TO degrees, when it will mature in one or two weeks, 

 but it must not be exposed to the air. The flavor will not be 

 improved over those ripened in the cooler atmosphere of the 

 fruit room, except it may be in the case of a few varieties, 

 such as the Vicar of Winkfield, which is thought better when 

 ripened in a warm place. The Easter Beurre and Chaumon- 

 telle have been found] to be improved by a somewhat change- 

 able and moist atmosphere, but these are exceptions to the 



