Page:What to do for Uncle Sam; a first book of citizenship (IA whattodoforuncle00bail).pdf/36

32 seldom ripens on the trees before frost comes, and then it is apt to mellow so quickly that it spoils before we get the best use of it. This tough, big, unpromising looking fruit may be made very useful, however, if only one knows how to use it. Boys and girls may pick the winter pears when they have reached their growth but have not entirely ripened. Be very sure that not a single pear has a bruise or speck of any kind, no matter how small. Each pear must have the stem firmly attached. When your pears are gathered, put a tiny drop of sealing wax on the blossom end and on the stem of each. This closes the pear to the air and keeps the natural juices of the fruit from escaping, which would dry it. Then place the pears, resting on the blossom end, on a shelf in some part of the house where they will be dark and cool. Look them over often to see that there is no decay started in one, even, as this might hurt the rest of the fruit. Winter pears preserved in this way ripen slowly, and well. They often last until spring and are delicious baked with sugar as one bakes apples, or stewed with a little molasses added.

The children of Colonial days had ever so much fun in the fall drying apples for winter use. This will be quite as pleasant and a new kind of work for the child of to-day. Sour apples are