IOO 



Implements t etc. 



Fig. 138. Fruit-picker. 



Fruit on the ends of long and tall branches may be gathered by 



means of the fruit-picker 

 shown in the annexed 

 figure (138). It consists 

 stiff 



of a piece of stilt wire 

 about two feet long, bent 

 into the form shown at a; 

 the two ends are then 

 thrust through gimlet-holes in the end of a pole ; a small bag, large 

 enough to hold half-a-dozen apples, is sewed to the wire. This com- 

 pletes the instrument. The narrow part of the wire assists in 

 removing the stem from the branch. A picker of this kind is espe- 

 cially valuable in gathering any high-priced fruit, such as pears, 

 which would otherwise be bruised and spoiled. 



Vine Scissors. A neat and 

 convenient instrument for thin- 

 ning out the berries from 

 bunches of grapes which have 



Fig. ^.-nne Scissors. g wn to thick > for removing 



unnecessary shoots, leaves, etc., 



and for gathering the fruit, as shown in the annexed cut, Fig. 139. 

 Garden Reel. Fig. 140 represents the reel for the garden line, 

 and stake for stretching the same, all made 

 of iron. The stakes should be at least a foot 



long. The line should be a strong well 

 twisted hemp cord, about one-fifth of an 

 inch in diameter, which, when not in use, 

 is quickly wound up on the reel. It is em- 

 ployed for setting trees in rows. 



Self-sustaining fmit-ladders are very 

 useful in gathering fine fruit, to prevent 

 mutilation and bruising of the bark and 

 branches. Fig. 141 is one of small size 

 and simple construction, is easily carried 

 in one hand, and will raise one's feet a 

 yard or more from the ground. It con- 

 sists of a small piece of light plank at the 

 top, supported on legs not larger than 



common chair-legs. Fig. 142 represents one from eight to twelve 

 feet high, the two single legs moving on joints, for closing in 

 carrying, and spreading like a tripod in setting up under the 

 tree. 



Fig. 140. Garden reel. 



