216 



FIG CULTURE 



of gasoline burners ten inches apart each way, con- 

 nected with a ten-gallon reservoir outside the build- 

 ing by a common supply pipe. Place the reservoir 

 in the shade, and have a cut-off valve in the bottom, 

 keeping it well filled, every day, as when entirely 

 burned out the oil in the pipes around the burners is. 

 renewed with difficulty. Six tubs will cook twenty 

 bushels at a time without injuring the fruit. 

 Put the figs in the syrup cold, being sure they float, 

 otherwise those on the bottom will burn. If they 

 do not float acid more syrup. Heavy preserves do 

 not require any water after the first stew of the 

 season, for the juice from the fruit will not only 

 sufficiently dilute that made from pure sugar, but 

 all cooking should be in open kettles to get rid of 

 vapor. A cover should be made for each tub, how- 

 ever, constructed of one-half inch wire mesh in a 

 strong frame, just small enough to fit inside the top, 

 and by adding a little weight it will press the fruit 

 down into the syrup to avoid stirring, and that float- 

 ing on top will finish with the rest, A failure to 

 observe this detail will necessitate the removal of 

 about ten per cent, of the fruit for further cooking 

 after the balance is done ; or it may result in unnec- 

 essarily cooking all to finish that which floats; or 

 the preserver may repeatedly stir the top ; or, with 

 steam, he will throw what is underneath to the sur- 

 face occasionally by vigorous boiling. Any of these 

 expedients will add considerable labor to the one in 

 charge, whose time can be spared the least, and often 

 causes fruit to deteriorate in appearance. The time 



