56 



I-RUIT FARMING 



CHAPTER V. 



APPLES. 

 In Kent, where hops are grown, the oasthouses afford 

 capital places for storing Apples, being airy, dark, and 

 cool. It is common for Apples in these stores to keep 

 three months after their usual season ; but the Market 

 Fruit Farmer may not have such 

 conveniences at hand, we therefore 

 divide our notice of this valuable fruit 

 into two divisions— first, Apples that 

 can be marketed direct from the tree, 

 and secondly, those that pay for 

 storing. The former method has 

 many advantages, and on the whole 

 pays best. The bruising in gathering 

 and storing, the loss by rotten fruit, 

 and the double operation of picking 

 and packing is perhaps rarely re- 

 couped by the higher price obtained 

 for stored Apples. Wliere Apples are 

 stored, the straw used to protect the 

 fruit from frost being clean, can be 

 utilized I'lsewluic afterwards. 



Eari.v Dessert Apples, to sell direct from the tr.o, 

 in their order cif ripening : — 



I. Beauty of liatli— \'ci-y rarly, a Ircc iroppcr, wliich 

 sells at a good price A moderate grower. Fruit flat, 

 with bright .starlet colour, sprckKil wliiir. Mid-July. 



IUjsh Apple, 



2 years old, 

 on Paradise Stock. 



