172 horticulturist's rule-book. 



a layer of grapes, then batting ; three layers of grapes are 

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

 topping with 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 be had, put in a dry, 

 cool room, and when cold weather approaches cover in an 

 interior closet with just sufficient covering to prevent 

 freezing; warmth will cause over-ripening and deteriora- 

 tion, 



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

 layers of grapes and straw paper, the paper being in double 

 thickness. 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 be of 

 service. The varieties fntended 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 

 drying process should be well ventilated, and the fruit laid 

 out in single layers 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 ot 

 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 be packed on each other, so that each box forms a 

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



