Show BERRIES RIED DRIED BY HEAT OF THE SUN Avoid U Unnecessary nn H Handling Han Han- andling an- an dung and Rough Treatment Prepared by the United States Department ot of Agriculture Dried berries of many kinds are excellent excellent excellent ex ex- for pies puddings and sauce Select berries which h are fully ripe but not overripe Berries DerrIes to be dried should be picked In the early morning hours Do not allow them to stand In the sun or in deep layers In picking vessels No attempt should be ma made e to wash the berries Intended for drying as the wet berries will soften and mat together together to to- gether geUter In the dryer Spread on the trays holding the vessel of berries with one hand and while slowly pourIng pouring pour pour- ing the fruit use the fingers of ot the tile free hand to spread them In a close uniform layer one to two berries deep Protect them from Insects Avoid all unnecessary handling and rough treatment treatment treat treat- ment as crushed berries spoil the appearance appearance appearance ap ap- ap- ap of ot the finished product Do not attempt to pick out leaves bits of ot stem or green berries These are readily removed after aCter the berries are dry Raspberries and Logan blackberries blackberries blackberries black black- berries require careful handling as they are liable to crush or flatten out when first heated Spread them In thinner layers than other berries As rapidly as the trays can be spread place In strong sunlight If It they are to be sun Bun dried as they can be In Inmost Inmost Inmost most sections of or the United States or orIn orIn orin In a warm evaporator if artificial heat is employed With artificial heat the Initial temperature should be from tram to dege degrees s. s This may he be gradually gradually gradually ally Increased when the fruit Is two- two thirds dry to degrees with any berries except t Logan blackberries and andred andred andred red raspberries These should te Le started at l O degrees F F. When the berries have dried sufficiently sum BUm to be ue stirred without crushing CO go over the trays and break up any IlDY I thick clumps which are drying too slowly The fruit Is dry when It begins begins begins be be- gins to rattle somewhat on n the trays and when the berries no longer show moisture when crushed between the fingers When the berries ar are dry place In a large wooden or pasteboard box covered covered covered cov cov- ered with muslin to exclude Insects Pour the warm berries directly Into this box as they come from the dryer and every ery time a new lot Is added stir the tho whole mass thoroughly together The berries will at first become quite moist but they will then gradually lose moisture until they become dry and bard hard to the touch When ready to be stored permanently return them to the dryer or oven and heat up to ISO degrees for two or three minutes to destroy any eggs of Insects which may te to present Place Immediately In sealed containers and store in a df dry warm place |