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SECTION OF FEUIT-nOUSB. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



ON GATHERII^G AND STOKING FRUIT. 



I484. Fruit-gatherixg is one of the most cliecrful and agreeable employ- 

 ments connected ■with garden management. It usually enlists every hand in 

 its ser^-ice, and in an abundant year finds all hands plenty to do. To the 

 ibllowing plain and simple directions, those who are intrusted with the super- 

 intendence of fruit-gathering will do well at all times to attend. It is im- 

 portant, in the first place, to remark, that no fruit should be gathered for 

 storing before it has arrived at matui-ity. By this we are to understand not 

 -necessarily its full flavour and ripeness, but the completion of its growth or 

 size ; and as all fruit even upon the same tree does not come to maturity 

 ■at the same period, it will frequently be found the safest and most economical 

 plan to make the gathering at two or three different times. It is very easy to 

 ascertain when any particular fruit is ready.; for ripe fruit always leaves the 

 tree upon a gentle touch, — the fruit-stalk parts from the twig on which it 

 grows without any signs of rending or violence. In a general way, with both 

 apples and pears, several of the most forward fruit will have fallen before the 

 general crop is in a fit state to be g-athered ; and this fallen or bruised fruit 

 should never be mixed with that which is intended to be stored ; all unsound 

 fruit which may be found upon the trees at the time of gathering should also 

 be rejected. Fruits, in fact, which ripen in summer and autumn, should bo 



