KEEPING APPLES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2912, 14 March 1891, Page 2

KEEPING APPLES.

Now that the apple crop is approaching nmtmit.y, the ijusstion of what is the best means of preserving them, naturally becomes an interesting one. Many different modes are advocated, spreading the fruit upon shelves or packing it in deep bins. Some say pack in barrels in a dark cellar, others in ordinary fruit cases in well aired rooms. We have heard of people packing their apples in chaff, others again in sand, but nono of these modes seem to be very perfect, and the mortality, so to speak, though it may vary, is always great. I'eiliaps it is, that as much depends upon the class of apple as upon the packing. Now we read of another ;vay to preserve our apple.., this is by the agency of lime. Experiments made in Germany, liavo proved that not only apples, but potatoes, grapes, etc., packed in powdered lime, will keep ..ound for a lengthened period, and come out as fresh in appearance as though newly gathered. The lime has no injurious effect upon the skin of the vegetables or fruit, and preserves by excluding the nir, and absorbing everything in the shape of damp. Now that apples are so plentiful and cheap and !imo at low rates, tho experiment of keeping a few cases with lime until the winter, when they are nioro valuable, might be well worth a trial.