216 FARM MECHANICS 



ladders used at picking time are not so long as they 

 used to be. 



The illustration shows one of. the most convenient 

 picking ladders. It is a double ladder with shelves to 

 hold picking trays supported by two wheels and two 

 legs. The wheels which are used to support one side 



Figure 211. Stepladder and Apple-Picking Bag. This ladder has 

 only three feet, but the bottom of the ladder is made wide to pre- 

 vent upsetting. This bag is useful when picking scattering apples 

 on the outer or upper branches. Picking bags carelessly used are the 

 cause of many bruised apples. 



Figure 212. Tree Pruners. The best made pruners are the 

 cheapest. This long handled pruner is made of fine tool steel from 

 the cutting parts clear to the outer ends of the wooden handles. A 

 positive stop prevents the handles from coming together. Small 

 one-hand pruning nippers are made for clean cutting. The blades 

 of both pruners should work towards the tree trunk so the hook will 

 mash the bark on the discarded portion of the limb. 



