THE APPLE. 63 



settled to their places. The barrel is filled full, even with the 

 top, the head placed on, and hy means of a screw packer, pressed 

 down into its place. If this is not roughly done, the apples will 

 be pressed just enough to keep them tight, so that when the 

 barrel is roUed about, the apples will not be shaken in the barrel. 

 As soon as the head is in place, the hoops should be put on, 

 driven home, and securely nailed, and the heading at both ends 

 secured by nailing cleats on the inside of the chime. Mark the 

 barrel on the end which was the bottom when putting the apples 

 ia, so that it may be opened and the fruit taken out from that 

 end. After the barrel has been fuUy secured and marked, it 

 should be laid on the side and kept in a cool place, under cover 

 from sun and rain, until sent to market or removed to the cellar. 

 A dry cellar that can be kept at a temperature just above freez- 

 ing, is an excellent place in which to keep apples iu a fresh and 

 sound condition. 



How to market the fruit, after it is gathered, is a question of 

 considerable importance, and one that deserves much more con- 

 sideration from the grower than it usually receives. As it now 

 stands, our fruit raisers wait until some traveUing fruit buyer 

 comes along, and drive the best bargain they can. Sometimes he 

 comes again to get the apples he has bought, and perhaps as 

 often he is never seen again. Sometimes the grower agrees to 

 barrel the fruit and deliver it at some EaUway Station or wharf, 

 and after taking it there, can find nothing of his purchaser. We 

 have not space to discuss this subject fully, but suggest that the 

 fruit growers in any given neighborhood might unite, and select 

 the best business man of their number to proceed to the city 

 which affords the best market for their apples, and there establish 

 such business relations with some responsible and honorable 

 house as will secure the sale of their fniit. We have heard 

 parties complain that they could not find a market for their fruit, 

 because no one had been round to buy, while their neighbors 

 within a dozen nules of them, who had established business 

 connections in the city, found ready sale at good prices. 



