The Canadian Horticulturist. 



■07 



HARVESTING THE CHERRY. 



Necessary Tools— Ladders. 



F these the only convenient form is the common adjusting 

 folder, which is easily manufactured by using for the sides 

 two-inch pieces of common lumber, 6 inches wide and 

 from 6 to 10 feet long, as occasion may require. Into 

 these are grooved steps of same width, at easy stepping 

 distances, fastened with nails or screws, each supported by 

 cleats on the under side. The top should be constructed 

 with a platform step, eight inches wide, on which to rest 

 the picking boxes and for the picker to stand upon when- 

 ever necessary. This style is found at almost any store 

 dealing in hardware or agricultural implements, and is generally used while the 

 trees are young and low headed. As the trees become large and tall, the staging 

 platform is far the best. This is constructed on the plan adopted by plasterers 

 for the finishing of inside work in buildings, viz. : Two wooden horses are made 

 of the required height for convenience of the pickers, and placed at safe distances 

 apart along the sides or under the branches of the trees, and on their tci)s is 

 constructed a platform, where one or more pickers may stand and do the work. 

 These have the advantage of accommodating several persons at a time, are 

 movable, and easily shifted from place to place. 



Picking Crates. — These are made of light but strong material, and of 

 necessary size to receive four common berry boxes side by side. This crate is 

 suspended to the picker, adjusted to a convenient position in relation to the 

 work and in front of him, thus relieving both of his hands to be used in picking. 

 Boxes and Crates. — The common style which is used for berries is well 

 adapted to use in gathering a cherry crop. 



In an orchard of any extent a small shanty or packing room should be 

 provided. It will also be found convenient for storing the fruit against exposure, 

 as well as shelter for the pickers from a sudden rainfall. In this may be con- 

 structed a facing and packing table. 



Time to Gather. — If for shipping, the best time will be when wholly covered 

 with a light-red color — approaching scarlet ; if for a near market, then a dark-red 

 color. 



Picking. — Having everything ready, the picking force should be divided 

 into two classes. The first proceeds to gather all the fruit within easy picking 

 distance while standing on the ground, and should keep in advance of the 

 second class, which works from ladders or staging, and cleans up the tree. 

 Cherries must be picked by the stem, and not by taking hold of the fruit, and 

 care must be taken not to even start the stem from the fruit, for if that occurs 

 the juices will flow out, and all such fruit will quickly spoil. None but sound 



