462 



Marketing, Storing, Drying 



" Copper or other screen may be used in place of the 

 slats. Copper screen is preferred because it will not cor- 

 rode if the food material comes in direct contact with it, 

 except of course foods that contain acid. Spreading 

 cheesecloth over the screen will overcome trouble of this 

 sort. The cover is constructed of one-inch strips of a 

 size to fit the base, and is also screened. Several addi- 

 tional covers may be made and placed one above the other 

 in tiers, and thus a minimum of area be covered by the 

 apparatus. 



" This type of drier may be used out of doors on a 

 fairly level porch roof; a southern exposure is best. A 

 tin roof is excellent for drying purposes. This type may 

 also be put on top the stove. A piece of asbestos may be 

 placed under the drier to protect the wood from the heat 

 of the stove." 



A home-made dry-house is shown in Fig. 249, also from 

 the Pennsylvania Circular on "The Drying of Fruits and 

 Vegetables." The " house " opens front and back, with 

 five trays each, making ten trays or removable shelves to 

 hold the produce. The construction carries its own heat- 

 ing facilities, in the nature of a fire-place beneath. Of 

 course there are completer outfits manufactured for the 

 purpose. 



The drying of vegetables received special impetus in 

 the war time, and much was written on the subject. 

 Farmers' Bulletin 841 gives detailed advice. Its prelim- 

 inary statement is as follows : " Fruits and vegetables may 

 be dried in the home by simple processes and stored for 

 future use. Especially when canning is not feasible, or 

 cans and jars are too expensive, drying offers a means of 



