RIPENING AND PKESERVING FRUITS. 289 



careful selection of the fruits before placing them in the 

 barrels, and a better opportunity for selection, and the re- 

 jection from the packages of all those which are in any 

 way defective. The disadvantages are the increased labor 

 and the greater amount of handling to which the fruits 

 are subjected. The surface of our seed-fruits, {pepi/is), 

 is endued with a peculiar coating of a waxy nature, which 

 is of great value for their preservation, and should not be 

 removed, hence the less fruit is handled, the better it will 

 keep, and it should never be rubbed nor wiped ; if too 

 wet, or " sweating," it should be exposed to a dry atmos- 

 phere, until the surplus moisture shall have quietly evap- 

 orated before it is transferred or handled. 



It is often observed of particular varieties that they are 

 more prone to wilt than other kinds : this is particularly 

 the case with Russet apples, and is believed to result from 

 a deficiency of this protecting outer covering or waxy 

 exudation, which appears most plentiful in those that re- 

 tain their plumpness. ' 



In packing for market, besides the directions already 

 given as to prevent motion, it is very desirable to have 

 the packages, of whatever form, whether boxes or barrels, 

 of a neat appearance and unifoim full size. The fruits 

 should be well selected, and of a like average quality 

 throughout, and not fixed up for market with the best 

 only at the ends or sides that are to be first opened, while 

 the inferior fruit is concealed within. Honesty is the best 

 policy everywhere, and dealers soon learn to discriminate 

 in favor of the brands of honest packers. It is believed 

 that any orchardists, who will take pains in the selection 

 of their fniits, and in the excellence and honest measure 

 13 



