44 GATHERING FRUIT. 



placed above the fire, becomes again chlorine of calcium, and as good 

 for use as before. 



Fruit in Cellars. "A great deal of winter fruit suffers early decay, 

 hi consequence of a deficiency of ventilation, especially during autumn, 

 and after the fruit is deposited. Another cause of decay, is the im- 

 proper location of the shelves or bins, which are placed against or 

 around the walls. By this inconvenient arrangement, the assorting of 

 decayed specimens must be done all from one side, and the shelves 

 must hence be very narrow, or the operator must stretch himself in a 

 most irksome horizontal position. The circulation of the air is, at 

 the same time, greatly impeded by the want of space next the walls. 

 To avoid these evils, the shelves should be in the centre, with a pas- 

 sa'ge all round. This allows circulation of air ; and the shelves may 

 be twice the width, with the same conveniences in assorting or 

 picking. If suspended from the joists above, on stiff bars, rats can- 

 not reach them. It is said, that the Germans are very successful in 

 the ventilation of their cellars, by a communication with the princi- 

 pal chimney, the heated air in which necessarily maintains a cur- 

 rent, which sweeps out the noxious and stagnant gases from the 

 vegetable and other contents." 



