354 



THE APPLE 



With the best hand grinders and presses only about 2 gallons 

 of cider can be obtained from 1 bushel of apples, while with a 

 medium-sized grinder and press run by an 8 or 10 horse-power 

 engine about 4 gallons may be obtained. It has been found in 

 most cases that there is little or no profit to be derived from 

 small hand presses, with which the grinding and pressing often 

 cost from 6 to 7 cents per gallon ; while with the larger grinder 

 and press the cost is only from 2] to 2\ cents per gallon. 



Fig. 158. A cider press at work 

 One of the ways by which culls may be utilized. (Courtesy of S/.Josrf/i Fruit Grower) 



There is a difference in the quality of apple juice, due in many 

 cases to a difference in the cleanliness of apples, grinder, or press. 

 Small sound apples are much to be preferred to decayed, dirty 

 fruit. The early varieties of apples and the lighter-colored, softer- 

 meated ones do not, as a rule, make as good cider as the solid, 

 well-colored winter apples. 



Preservation of cider. By sterilizing the apple juice and putting 

 it up in air-tight vessels the cider may be kept sweet and in good 

 condition the year round. It may be sterilized in wooden containers 

 as follows : Apply paraffin to the outside of the wooden contain- 

 ers, then sterilize the inside and fill with cider heated from 149 

 to 158 degrees F. ; seal the containers, taking measures to relieve 



