THE value of artificial cold air, as applied to refrigerator cars, cold storage warehouses, residences and other purposes, can not be too highly appreciated. The subject has not received the attention to which it is entitled, in comparison with the attention given the improvements in some other industries, the importance of which, as compared with cold storage is insignificant. I believe that the methods and appliances of cold storage are still in their infancy, and that each year will bring forth new and important developments. But a few years ago, the man who would have put forth the idea of dressing beef in the west and transporting it to Europe, would have been considered erratic. The same can be said of sending dressed meats from the west to New Orleans, Charleston, Savannah and other points in the warm climates. The refrigerator car bears the same relation to perishable fruits and vegetables as it does to dressed beef. Through its agency the most delicate southern fruits are brought to our markets in prime order, tempting to the eye, and palatable. It has proved a valuable adjunct to trade. Many industries are in existence, many laborers are employed, and many luxuries are enjoyed because of its use. The strawberry industry of Florida depends entirely upon it.

In fact, the small fruit industries of the whole country are deeply indebted to it.

Through the use of refrigerator cars the cost of transportation has been materially reduced, as is also a large percentage of loss, which is quite certain to take place through other means of transportation. It is a fact, that in localities where refrigerator cars are in use for the carrying of fruits, staple prices prevail. Here in Oswego, where for many years the strawberry industry has been one of our most important agricultural interests, it was, for want of proper transportation facilities, on the point of decay. But the officials of the Lehigh Valley and the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg railroads saw that with proper facilities it might be nursed into a large and paying business for them, and accordingly, these railroads put on a line of refrigerator cars, made reasonable rates of transportation, placed the berries in the markets on time and in good order - so much so, that since the line was brought into use there has not been a single claim for loss. The result of this was to give a new impetus to the business. It has caused a five-fold increase in the acreage of strawberries about here in as many years, and still we are not growing as many berries as we can sell at profitable prices. It has also been a great aid in the shipment of pears.

In fact, it has been the important factor in opening up the western markets for our Bartletts.

I have, perhaps, spoken too much at length of refrigerator cars; but I have done so because I consider them more important to shippers and growers than cold storage warehouses, for the reason that nearly all fruits sell best in their natural season. To hold back any considerable portion of the crop, in a locality where large quantities are grown, would, I believe, prove disastrous five times out of six. I have always contended that the time to sell an article is when there is a demand for it. I have pursued this course, and have found it profitable. Cold storage warehouses, in many cases, are a necessity, however, particularly in large cities, where vast amounts of perishable matter are received daily, and which is liable at times to overstock the markets, and materially depress prices. It can also be of great benefit where large amounts of fruit are grown, as it often occurs that by holding shipments a few days a bad market may be avoided.

The safest plan to pursue for an individual or firm, in managing cold storage, is to put away none but the best fruit; hold until the more ordinary grades are out of market, and then send it forward in such quantities as the markets will take at a profit. Of course, what I may say in the matter of holding and marketing are of little importance in the general management of the business. That depends wholly on the good judgment of the operator, coupled with experience.

I have examined many methods of cold storage, and I consider the "Wicks patent" the most desirable, for several reasons, 1st. Where a refrigerator is not run the season through, it is more economical of ice. 2nd. The ice chamber takes up little room and is on the same floor as the cooling room ; consequently a less expensive building is required. I have a refrigerator with a capacity of three thousand barrels, constructed according to my own ideas, and it answers all purposes. But if I were to build another I would adopt the Wicks patent.

The kinds of fruits which keep best in cold storage are apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, lemons ♦ and oranges. Grapes put in cold storage will very soon fall from the stems after being taken out. Cherries and plums, taken from cold storage, will decay very rapidly, but they will keep in cold storage for several days. Of all the delicate fruits that may be protected with ice, there is none with which it agrees as well as strawberries. The best temperature for apples is 32° to 330. Strawberries keep well at 400 to 450; pears at 350. Care should be taken to preserve as uniform a temperature as possible. When large quantities are being put in the refrigerator daily, salt should be used on the ice in sufficient quantities to keep the temperature down, as near as possible, to the figures given above. As often as one-third of the quantity of ice in the chamber is gone, it should be refilled. It would answer to let it run lower, but the above is a wise precaution. These instructions answer for the Wicks, or others constructed on the same principle.

Oswego, N. K J. Heagerty.