EXTEACTS EEOM PHOCEEDINGS. 



cvii 



Precis of communications received as to the method of pre- 

 serving fruit, from the different persons who exhibited or competed 

 for prizes [February 16, 1869. 



1. As the flavour of fruit is so easily affected by heterogeneous 

 odours, it is highly desirable that the apple- and pear-rooms should, 

 if possible, be distinct from each other. 



2. That the walls and the floor should be annually washed with 

 a solution of quicklime, to which common salt is sometimes 

 added. 



3. That the room should be perfectly dry, kept at as uniform a 

 temperature as practicable, and well ventilated; but that there 

 should not be a thorough draft, which would cause the fruit to 

 shrivel. 



4. That the utmost care should be taken in gathering the fruit, 

 which should be handled as little as possible. 



5. That for present use the fruit should be well ripened ; but if 

 for long keeping, it is better, especially with pears, that it should 

 not have arrived at complete maturity. This point, however^ 

 requires considerable judgment. 



6. That no imperfect fruit should be stored with that which is 

 sound, and that every more or less decayed specimen should be 

 immediately removed. 



7. That, if placed on shelves, the fruit should not lie more than 

 two deep, and that no straw should be used. 



8. That where especially clear and beautiful specimens are 

 wanted, they may be packed carefully in dry bran, or in layers of 

 perfectly dry cotton-wool, either in closed boxes or in large garden 

 pots. Scentless saw-dust will answer the same purpose ; but pine 

 saw-dust is apt to communicate an unpleasant taste. 



9. "With care early apples may be kept till Christmas, while 

 many kinds may be preserved in perfection to a second year. 



SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE. 



Makch 16, 1869. 

 A. Mtjeeay, Esq., in the Chair. 



The Secretary laid on the table the 6th Number of the new 

 series of the Society's Journal, and a separate sheet containing 

 the proceedings of the last three Meetings. 



Professor Westwood stated that the larva in the shoot of an 



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