268 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



were not noticeably distorted. Many of the fruits were badly spotted and 

 in some cases nearly covered with yellowish brown scabs. From the fact 

 that the disease was not more widely known it evidently has not been very 

 destructive, but if it becomes distributed it may become quite injurious to 

 our peach crop. 



GATHERING AND MARKETING. 



Even if a good crop is grown, success is not assured until it has been 

 gathered and put upon the market, in fact, success or failure will often 

 depend upon the ability with which this is done. 



From the fact that both of the fruits under discussion are of a decidedly 

 perishable natu i e, great care must be taken to gather them at such a period 

 that they will be still in good condition when placed upon the market. 



With the peach, for such markets as are likely to be supplied, the fruit 

 should be gathered just as it is reaching a ripe condition, a period which 

 can better be shown than described. The green color should be just dis- 

 appearing from the under side of the fruit, giving way to a yellowish-white 

 or flesh color, as the case might be. As an indication to the touch, the 

 flesh of the upper side should give slightly, when pressed with the ball of 

 the thumb. The latter sign is not infallible, but the former seldom ever 

 fails. With a little experience, a man can judge of the condition of a 

 peach without employing either method except occasionally as a test. 

 Under no circumstances should the thumb nail be used to test the fruits, 

 and every precaution should be taken not to bruise them. Taking a fruit 

 lightly and yet firmly, between the thumb and fingers a slight twist of the 

 hand will serve to separate it from its stem. The rule of " handling as if 

 they are eggs" will not apply with peaches, since they need even greater 

 care. 



PACKAGES FOR PEACHES. 



The packages best adapted for the shipping of peaches depend, first, 

 upon the wants of the market and, second, upon the grade of fruit and the 

 distance it is to be transported. 



For a local market it is generally best to use either peck or fifth-bushel 

 baskets for the best quality of fruit, and the bushel or half- bushel size for 

 seconds. Much the same rule holds good when shipments are made by 

 rail or boat. It is best, however, to study well the wants of a market 

 and to use the size and style of package that is most in favor with the 

 middlemen and the consumers, as, however it may be in other things, it 

 will not pay to attempt to educate the taste of the public in the style or 

 size of package to be used. With the packing, however, it is different, 

 and an endeavor should be made to put up the fruit in such a way that it 

 can be transported without unnecessary bruising, and at the same time be 

 attractive to the eye. The packing, however, should be honest, and all 

 the peaches should be of the grade indicated by the top layer. 



Regarding the use of the fifth-bushel and other sizes of packages that 

 were brought out as "snides," it should be said that in some markets they are 

 recognized as standard sizes and are sold on their merits. If the middlemen 

 prefer to handle that size, and if the consumers desire it, the producer 

 should by all means supply the demand, as, if the fruit is shipped in pecks, 

 the jobber or retailer will quite likely repack it. The price being by 



