46 MAINE AGRICULTURAL KXPERIMEXT STATION. I906. 



the breaking down of the tissues (in other words decay) may 

 be expected. Fruits that are picked when very green or imma- 

 ture will not break down so quickly as those that are farther 

 advanced. As a. rule, however, such fruits never reach the 

 most edible stage, and they frequently shrivel and become 

 unmarketable. Many of the peaches brought into the markets 

 of Maine are, because of too early picking, totally unfit for use, 

 but we eat them, — and some call them good. Some of the 

 winter apples, like Roxbury Russet, and Ben Davis, if harvested 

 too early, will shrivel and become practically worthless before 

 spring. 



The precise stage at which fruit may be most advantageously 

 harvested is a matter which each grower must decide for himself, 

 in accordance with the conditions of his market. Some success- 

 ful orchardists depend upon \Mlliams' Favorite as their chief 

 market apple, allowing the fruit to ripen on the tree and market- 

 ing only choice dessert specimens. Naturally such a course 

 would be possible only when there is a good local market. 



It may be superfluous to suggest how to pick fruit. Never- 

 theless this is one of the most important factors in the successful 

 handling of the product. The hiring of cheap laborers for 

 picking is of doubtful economy, although for many kinds of 

 work such laborers, who will do as told, are valuable help, even 

 though not familiar with the details of the business. In general, 

 however, the picker should understand the importance of his 

 work, and should bear in mind the fact that every evidence of 

 handling detracts from the market value of the fruit. There is 

 a general notion that any one can pick apples, but such is not the 

 case ; and every year large amounts of fruit are lost and many 

 trees permanently injured by careless or ignorant pickers. 

 During the past season some of the Tolmans and Alexanders in 

 the Station orchards were rendered almost unsaleable because 

 the pickers grasped the fruit so firmly as to leave an imprint of 

 every finger on the apple. 



It is, perhaps, unnecessary to urge that usually the apple is 

 not ready for harvest until it will part readily from the fruit 

 spur. The fruit should never be pressed with thumb and fingers, 

 or thrown into a basket or bag. All fruit should be handled as 

 carefully as would be necessary with eggs. 



During the last apple harvest, in spite of the high price of 

 fruit, the writer saw a prominent farmer carefully hand pick his 



