CHAPTER XX. 



COLD STORAGE AND MARKETING. 



* 



After producing fine fruit, learn how to sell it ; the proof of 

 the selling is in the size of the cheque. Farmer Vincent. 



It is not advisable, in my opinion, for the average 

 fruit-grower to use ice for cold storage purposes for 

 winter apples, etc., at 

 least in the latitude of 

 Philadelphia and north- 

 ward. In Chapter XVIII 

 I referred to Wilmer Atkin- 

 >n's cold storage method, 

 and I want to say more 

 about it, now. Here is a 

 copy of a letter from him in which he gives particu- 

 lars about the method: 



' ' On Monday we begin to pick our crop of Mayfield 

 apples and expect to have between 4,000 and 5,000 

 bushels. The orchard has just come into bearing, this 

 being really the first crop. Having a very large barn, 

 much of the space contained therein is available for 

 storing other things than hay, wheat, etc. ; so I have 

 converted a mow, 25 x 40 feet, into two storage rooms, 

 one above the other. It is a stone barn with thick 

 walls, sufficient, with a little lining inside of thick 

 paper (on two sides) , to keep out frost. I have also 

 doubled the wooden walls on the other two sides, with 

 felt between, and now have what I deem to be an 

 admirable place to keep winter apples, up to the first 

 (137) 



