October Looking Forward 



gathering ; early Apples may be kept some weeks if 

 desired. 



Although, when dealing with early Apples and Pears, 

 it is important not to let them remain on the trees 

 too long, it is equally necessary not to gather late 

 sorts too soon. If removed before they are ready, the 

 fruits are likely to shrivel and will not develop their 

 true flavour. Hence the necessity for applying the tests 

 already referred to in case of doubt. Amateurs are 

 not sufficiently careful in handling fruits ; a bruise may 

 not show at the time, but it will inevitably do so 

 afterwards, and where the fruit is bruised, there will 

 it decay ; when stored it is liable to infect others with 

 which it comes in contact. The essential conditions for 

 the successful storage of fruit are coolness and moisture. 

 Probably the reason why amateurs fail to keep their 

 Apples satisfactorily is because they put them away, 

 whether they are wet or dry, immediately after gathering. 

 They do not appreciate the fact that even if Apples are 

 gathered in dry weather, the skins are naturally moist, 

 and until this moisture has been lost, they are not in fit 

 condition for storing. 



A few days after being gathered Apples go through 

 the process known as " sweating " and during this 

 time, a cool and airy place is essential. When the 

 skins have lost their moisture and become comparatively 

 dry it is safe to place the fruits in permanent storage. 

 Few amateurs have* a specially-built fruit room, and 

 have to make use of existing facilities. The worst 

 possible place is a dry loft, and this is, unfortunately, 

 frequently chosen. Moisture is essential to the proper 

 storage of Apples, and in its absence the fruits will 

 shrivel. A cellar is preferable to a loft ; failing this, 

 a shed or room on the ground floor ought to be selected. 

 There the atmosphere is naturally less dry than in a 

 room at the top of the house. The fruits may be 

 placed on lath shelves or on thoroughly clean straw 



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