174 



HOCKINGS GARDEN MANUAL. 



spread upon ground prepared for the purpose, where 

 they are left to dry. Great care is taken that no water 

 or dew falls upon them, or they gradually decay. 

 Many plantations made in adjacent districts produced 

 good figs ; but they would not keep when packed, the 

 skin was thick, and was destitute of the delicate flavor 

 and sweetness of those grown at Aidin. 



The heavy dews and sudden showers to which we are 

 liable will, doubtless, prevent figs being dried by ex- 

 posure to the sun's rays only; but it might be accom- 

 plished by means of the u fruit drier." 



The " prune d'Angen" and two others are dried 

 successfully at Camden Park, New South Wales. The 

 former fruit falls from the tree as soon as ripe — that is, 

 early in March. Fine litter is placed under the trees, 

 and, if the weather is fine, the plums are allowed to 

 lie as they fall, being turned over every two or three 

 days ; in about ten days they are ready to pack. Slight 

 showers only retard the drying ; but continued wet 

 hot weather will turn them mouldy. In such cases a 

 hot closet is used to dry them, heated from 100° to 120°, 

 by hot water pipes. 



** Muscatel raisins and Zante currants are dried at 

 Camden on straw hurdles, but they require several 

 weeks. If first dipped in boiling lye of wood ashes 

 they dry much more rapidly, but lose their bloom and 

 fine appearance, and part of their flavor. The currants 

 dry very rapidly in fine weather, and prove a very pro- 

 ductive crop if in a good situation and well managed. 

 The plants should be vigorous, and have ample room ; 

 and at pruning, six times the usual quantity of bearing 

 wood should be left. They should be well matured 

 before being gathered. 



The hurdles are made of tough sawn pine, 5 feet by 

 3 feet ; the two heads should be 3 in. by 2 in. , and the 

 cross-bars, with centre stay, be 2| or 3 inches by |. 

 Long straw is woven in between the bars, or otherwise 



