140 FRUIT BOOK. 



The above process is more successful upon the 

 apple, pear, and quince, than upon the plum, 

 cherry, or peach. 



GATHERING AND PRESERVING PEARS. 



In gathering fruits from standard trees, it is 

 desirable that the ladder should be of such form 

 as not to injure or bark the limbs, the best sort 

 is undoubtedly the Step Ladder. " These have a 

 fulcrum, or back, by which they stand nearly per- 

 pendicular, and independent of any other object. 



This fulcrum is removeable at pleasure, being 

 kept in its proper position by two iron bars, which, 

 when removed, fall back on the ascending part. 

 The steps in such ladders are flat, instead of 

 round, as in most other ladders, and hence are 

 less fatiguing to the feet of the operator. The 

 Double Ladder differs only from the above in 

 having two ordinary ladders fixed together at the 

 top upon an iron axle, the one acting as a ful- 

 crum to the other." 



Of the instruments called " Fruit Gatherers," 

 there are many sorts : one of the best is SauPs, 

 which consists of a pair of cutters attached to a 

 long pole, which may be lengthened by screwed 

 joints or otherwise. The operating lever may be 

 attached to any part of the pole ; the lever of the 

 moveable blade has a spring under it, to keep it 

 open, and the communicating spring passes over 

 a pulley ; the cutters are so connected to the pole 

 by a joint and arch, that they may be set at any 

 angle required, for the purpose of getting at the 

 fruit readily ; a basket is placed under the pulley 

 and cutting part, for the reception of the fruit. 



