394 Peach-Growing 



and who has adequate business ability to meet those require- 

 ments effectively. The usual methods of distribution will 

 be touched on briefly on later pages. 



In order to handle a crop successfully, the grower must 

 anticipate every need in the w^ay of packages, equipment, 

 other supplies, and labor and make adequate provision for 

 them in advance of the picking season. If this is not done, 

 costly delays in obtaining necessities are inevitable. As 

 soon as the "June drop" is over, he should begin to estimate 

 the probable size of the crop and place orders for all neces- 

 sary supplies for handling the fruit later on. 



PICKING THE FRUIT 



The organization for picking the fruit naturally should be 

 governed by the size of the orchard, the amount of fruit to be 

 handled, and the character of the help employed. With ex- 

 perienced labor, comparatively little supervision of individual 

 pickers may be required; otherwise, the pickers should be 

 divided into small gangs, each working under the supervision 

 of a well-trained foreman. 



Picking bgCskets similar to those shown in Plate XXVIII 

 (top) are commonly used. These are firmly made splint 

 baskets, holding one-half bushel and with the handle hinged 

 at points of attachment. The baskets are sometimes lined 

 with burlap to protect the fruit from bruising. Another 

 type used in picking, an oblong splint basket, is seen in Plate 

 XXVIII {center). A small stick is commonly nailed across 

 the top between the points where the handle is attached to 

 make the basket more rigid. Tin or galvanized iron pails 

 holding two and one-half or three gallons, as well as other 

 receptacles, are also used more or less in picking. 



