262 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



flies. Other ventilators must be placed, inside and outside, about the middle of 

 each side of the structure, under the lowest shelf ; the aperture inside is covered 

 with perforated zinc, while outside there is a shutter. 



Protection. — To protect the contents a ^-inch mesh stout wire-netting 

 should be fastened to the matchboard outside, beneath the thatch, so that an 

 entry would be difficult. This is advisable also to keep out rats. 



Inside Shelves upon which to lay the fruits are readily fixed at the sides. 

 First place uprights, 2 by ij inches, from the ground to the rafters, and then 

 attach bearers, 2 inches byf inch, from these to the quartering. One foot between 

 the shelves is a very convenient distance; the lowest shelf being placed 6 inches 

 from the ground makes six in all. The shelves are made of f -inch matchboard ; 

 they should be about ;|-inch apart, so as to allow a slight circulation of air. Upon 

 the shelves place clean wheat straw, so that the fruit shall not touch the wooden 

 shelves. In the centre of the fruit-house a narrow table with a raised edge is 

 useful for displaying exhibition collections or special fruits. Baskets of fruit for 

 early use can be placed underneath it. 



Floor. — The best possible floor is the natural earth ; paved surfaces are apt 

 to become too dry. The latest varieties of fruits should be stored on the lowest 

 shelves. 



Names. — Provide slips of zinc 4 inches long, turn up one end an inch at an 

 angle of 45 degs.; slit this three times, bending the central "tongue" so that a 

 neat card may be held firmly. The other end of the zinc label is pushed under 

 the straw. 



It is not necessary to erect this fruit-house in the shade. 



GATHERING HARD FRUITS 



Apples. — The early ripening Codlins and summer dessert apples are always 

 best when used fresh from the trees. The dessert sorts lose their brisk flavour 

 and are apt to become mealy when stored. It may, however, be necessary to 

 store them in order to make the most of the supply. Codlins will keep in a 

 properly constructed store or fruit-room for three months in a firm condition 

 if very carefully gathered and stored without being bruised. For gathering 

 the basket should be lined with sacking, although for gathering on a moderate 

 scale we prefer to use an open wood basket. This, when lined with fine straw 

 or wood-wool packing, is taken to the trees, the fruit being regularly laid in 

 rows as gathered. If the fruit is soft there should only be one layer. When 

 two of these baskets are full they can be carried to the fruit-room on yokes ; 

 thus all jolting is avoided. The baskets are invaluable for gathering choice 

 fruit or for use among dwarf trees or espaliers. Where ladders are used an 

 ordinary peck gathering basket with a hook to attach it to the ladder or tree is 

 large enough. The basket should be lined with soft material, and when full 

 the contents are transferred to a larger receptacle. The wholesale removal 

 of the fruit from one basket to another means bruising, and except for 

 common sorts should be avoided. When to gather the fruit is a difficult 

 question to answer. Growers should not be alarmed if a few fruits fall, 



