Miscellaneous. 349 



The first experiment of Burbank with this blackberry resulted in 

 the seedlings, when crossed with crystal white, being all black. The 

 second also was black, though varying much in other respects. But 

 the third produced this wonderful plant, bearing the snowiest white 

 berries ever seen. 



Very little attention was paid to the long rows of cross-bred descend- 

 ants until one day this white berry was discovered among its black rela- 

 tives, with the canes bending in various directions with its load of deli- 

 cious snowy berries, which are not only perfectly white, but so trans- 

 parent that the seeds, which are unusually small, may be seen in the ripe 

 fruit. 



Clusters larger than those of Lawton berries, as near as could be 

 judged were earlier, sweeter, and more tender and more melting through- 

 out, though as firm as Lawton is when ripe. — National Fruit Grower. 



PICKING APPLES. 



Editor Rural World: 



At the picking season for each returning year volumes of advice 

 are generally given as to the best methods of picking, handling and pre- 

 serving the apple. The subject necessarily is very old and the many 

 points connected with that work have been pressed frequently, causing 

 it to seem that the subject in all its bearings had been worn almost thread- 

 bare. Nevertheless, there are some plain, common-sense methods in 

 regard to this work that can never be turned down and should always 

 be distinctly borne in mind. 



The most important part in picking apples is to do all that you can 

 to prevent the apples from becoming bruised. While bruises may not be 

 noticed at the time, later, especially when the apples have been placed 

 in cold storage for months, there will be developments leading to serious 

 injury. It has been often noted as to how much mischief one rotten 

 apple in a barrel can accomplish. 



With the idea in view of preventing bruises, it should be recommended 

 that the picker should not use too large a basket, one-half bushel basket 

 should be of sufificient size, and this should be padded with old sacks. 

 In commencing the work all apples on lower limbs should be picked first. 

 Many of the apples on the tree can be gathered in this manner without 

 the use of the ladder and can be passed carefully from limb to basket. 

 Soon as the apples are out of reach, then use the ladder, placing it care- 

 fully in order to avoid knocking apples from the limbs. Then continue 

 the method, as commenced, of picking from the lowxr limbs first. Have 



