158 Strawberry-Growing 



if any show a trace of color, the work is not thoroughly 

 done. By this method the berries will reach distant mar- 

 kets in prime condition and will color up thoroughly." ^ 

 Texas and Florida berries are picked when about three- 

 fourths red. Farther north, where the growers are close 

 to their markets, strawberries are picked when colored 

 all over and without green tips. If refrigerators are 

 used, berries can be picked riper than if they are shipped 

 in ventilators. 



How often to pick. 



The rapidity with which the fruit ripens determines 

 how often to pick. During cool weather, two pickings 

 a week may be sufficient. In hot weather, daily pickings 

 are necessary, especially if the fruit is to be shipped to a 

 distant market. If obliged to miss a day or two on 

 account of rain, the next picking will have many soft 

 berries. Pick these in tin vessels and send them to can- 

 neries or jam factories. It is necessary to pick them in 

 order to keep soft berries out of subsequent pickings. 

 In the higher altitudes of Montana berries ripen very 

 slowly and frequently are picked but once a week. 

 Weekly pickings are sufficient for everbearing varieties 

 in late autumn. In hot weather, if the field is not picked 

 on Saturday or Sunday, there will be many overripe 

 berries Monday morning. The small grower who caters 

 to a local trade can pick early Saturday morning, and sell 

 the berries the same day ; but the large grower cannot ship 

 on Saturday if his market is less than forty-eight hours 

 distant. Some pick very clean on Saturday afternoon, 

 even a trifle under-ripe, and put the fruit into cold storage 

 over Sunday ; but in many cases it is safer to leave the 



1 Bui. 17, British Columbia Dept. of Agr. 



