THE ORCHARD CROP 275 



they are well colored, they should be picked early enough to 

 save waste, even though they are not well colored. Late- winter 

 apples should be allowed to hang on the trees until they are full 

 size and have good color. Apples, like other fruit, should be 

 picked when dry, and should be kept as cool as is feasible with- 

 out freezing. They should never be piled in the sun, but should 

 be handled in the shade of trees or in a shed. If placed in a 

 building, cooling ventilation should be secured. 



Pears should be picked while they are yet hard, but when 

 their skin shows by its yellowing tint that ripeness is approach- 

 ing. They should be ripened in a cool, dark place, such as a 

 cellar. They are of finer quality when ripe if each specimen is 

 wrapped in paper as soon as it is picked. They should be 

 ripened in boxes, baskets, or in thin layers on shelves. Perish- 

 able fruits like peaches, plums, and cherries should be picked 

 when well colored but while they are firm. 



QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS 



1. What are the most important orchard crops in the United States? 

 in your locality ? 



2. What are the principal orchard regions of the United States? 



3. In what ways do climate and location determine the kind of fruit 

 to grow ? 



4. In growing orchards why is fertility of the soil of less importance 

 than drainage? 



5. What soils are best for orchards? 



6. What precautions should be observed in choosing a location for the 

 orchard ? What are the most favorable orchard sites in your vicinity ? 



7. What kinds of fruits should be planted for the home-farm orchard ? 



8. Prepare a planting diagram for a home-farm orchard, indicating the 

 number and kinds of trees and the distance apart they should be planted. 



9. Write a series of directions for 'plan ting young apple trees. 



10. What are the reasons for root-pruning when planting trees? Top- 

 pruning ? 



11. Visit a neighboring orchard, select one tree as the basis for work, 

 write a statement of what pruning the tree needs, and later, in class, com- 

 pare results. 



