216 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



prevent its using up tlie moisture intended to be saved. — From N. W. 

 Horticulturist. 



PREPARING CHERRIES FOR MARKET. 



(A few extracts from "The Kansas Cherry Book.") 



"The cherry should not be gathered until fully ripe and then 

 only when it is dry, for if it is gathered when wet or even damp 

 from rain or dew it will quickly spoil. In ajl cases the fruit should 

 be carefully handled and the stem be left attached to the fruit as the 

 removal of the stem from the fruit will break the skin, allow the 

 .iuice to run out and quickly injure the fruit. It pays to pack only 

 the best fruit. All defective berries should be thrown out as they 

 will injure the sale of the remaining fruit. It pays to pack only the 

 best fruit and put it up in a manner that will be attractive as there 

 is about as much in the packing of the fruit toward selling it as in the 

 fruit itself, perhaps more. 



In picking use step ladders and as trees become larger, ordinary 

 ladder. 



A crate made of light, but strong material and of a size to receive 

 four common berry boxes is suspended to the picker adjusted to a 

 convenient position in front of him relieving both hands for pick- 

 ing. 



A shanty or packing room is convenient and will also be found 

 handy for storing the fruit and to shelter the pickers from a sudden 

 rainfall. In this may be constructed a facing and packing table. 

 If for shipping the best time to gather will be when wholly of a light 

 red color approaching scarlet; if for a near market, a dark red 

 color. 



The picking force should be divided into two sections. The first 

 gathers all fruit within easy picking distance of the ground and 

 keeps in advance of the second section which works from ladders, 

 and cleans up all. Cherr.ies must be picked by the stem and not 

 by taking hold of the fruit, and care must be taken not to even start 

 the stem from the fruit, as the juices will flow out and such fruit 

 quickly spoils. None but sound ripe specimens should be placed in 

 the boxes and the top layer in every box should be an honest index 

 of the whole. With the picking crate swung to the picker he can 

 easily do his work well and quickly detect any damaged or inferior 

 fruit before it is picked. As soon as the boxes in the picking crate 

 are filled they are taken out and placed in a shipping crate and others 

 put in their place, and the crate when full, carried to the facing 

 table. 



Packing. — Facing consists in turning the stems of the top layer 

 down which gives the appearance of a solid surface. Boxes should 

 be filled a little above their edges to avoid the semblance of stinted 

 measure, and provide for the inevitable settling sure to follow the 

 jarring of transportation. Pack in twenty-four box crates, close 



