STORING APPLES FOR THE WINTER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3059, 21 April 1917, Page 15

STORING APPLES FOR THE WINTER

A correspondent, "Inquirer," asks to bo informed as to tho "best way for small orchardists to store apples for winter use; also the proper time to pick the fruit. Tho method advised by the Chief of the Horticultural Division of the Department oC Agriculture (Mr. T. W. Kirk) is as follows:— ' "The fruit should bo', approaching maturity when it is gathered. . Tho colour of the pips is not a safe guide. The <lepreo of colouring in the pips would bo differently estimated. When the fruit easily leaves the tree without breaking the sklk, it is ready for picking. Take a fruit in your hand, and gently lift it to a level with tho heel of the stalk; if it is ready it will oomo away. Perhaps the best wav to judge is by noticing if much fruit us faliinp. If a litrlit breeze knocks off much fruit, gather it. "A cool and dark shed or loom is a good place to' store. If there aro any windows, cover them with sacking. Vontilation is necessary to allow of the escape of oxygen pas, which generates during the night. Ventilation must not be excessive, or the fruit will shrivel. If there are windows, cover part or the whole if they are small, wire gauze. Lot the sacking covering the window be wider than the aperture, then the sides may bo let loose, and while excluding light, will allow air to pass. The fruit is best kept in bins, as that allows of overlooking it occasionally to remove any that" show signs of decay. ' The mould that forms on decaying fruit is a plant, it propagates witli great rapidity, and contaminates sound fruit. Lay tho fruit on boards, do not uso straw or othor material of tile kind. If the boards aro rough or have spaces that inight load to cutting by tho edges of, the boards, cover the boards with-double sheets'of newspaper. Handle the fruit with the greatest possible care, to avoid bruising."