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CAUSES OF FAILURE IN APPLE CULTURE— IV. 



From an Address by the Secretary. 



6. Bad Hapvesting", 



VEN presuming that the orchard has been properly culti- 

 vated, pruned and enriched, there are many who yet fail to 

 handle the fruit to the best advantage. In the first place, 

 it is a common mistake to leave the fruit hanging too long 

 on the trees before picking, and in consequence they be- 

 come too ripe to keep well, and a large proportion is spoiled 

 by falling to the ground. My experience has led me to 

 begin gathering much earlier than formerly, and indeed before my neighbors 

 seem to think of it. At one time it was my rule to begin gathering them about 

 the 9th of October, but the high winds of that month made such havoc with 

 them that I soon changed the rule. The 20th of September is none too soon to 

 begin with such kinds as have attained full size and color, and if by that time all 

 the apples upon a tree have not reached maturity, it will pay to make two pick- 

 ings, leaving the greener and smaller ones to grow and color up. Attention to 

 the details of preparing fruit for market always returns a good profit and must 

 not be grudged. Careful handling and careful sorting are of paramount import- 

 ance. Many throw apples into the basket as if they were potatoes, or squeeze 

 them with thumb and finger as if they were made of stone, and so leave marks 

 which spoil their beauty. Round swing-handle baskets, attached with a wire 

 hook to the rounds of the ladders, are the best for apple picking. 



Most orchardists empty their apples in piles upon the ground, but sorting in 

 that case is back-breaking work, and every rain delays it. Some empty them in 

 heaps upon the barn floor, but in a large orchard this means much labor in 

 carting. My custom has been to empty into barrels in the orchard, head up 

 without pressure, write the name of apple on the end, and store under cover ; 

 and then in packing empty them out on a packing table for sorting. For young 

 orchards and scattered varieties this is the best plan I know of, for the important 

 work of packing can then be done in a clean, dry place without moving about 

 with nails and mallets and press from one part of the orchard to another. 



Many inquiries are received concerning the best plan for the farmer to dispose 

 of his marketable apples, whether he should sell them at home or ship to a foreign 

 market. Well, if he has a very large orchard so that he can ship by the carload ; 

 or if he has small lots of one special kind, such as the Gravenstein or King, I 

 would say ship to some reliable English wholesale house. As I can show from 

 my account sales, my Gravensteins and Kings, in some ordinary seasons have 

 sold in Covent Garden Market, London, Eng., as high as $6 per barrel, which I 

 consider paid me very well. Of course these apples were extra selected, all 

 No. I grade, and highly colored. 



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