LADDEKS. 



105 



CHAPTER 



LADDERS. 



The ladders used in the peach orchard are about ten 

 feet high, and are self-supporting. They are all of one 

 general model, although differing somewhat in construc- 

 tion. The most approved is made of two boards, six in- 

 ches wide and one thick, for the sides; into these are 

 grooved and mortised steps of the same width. On the 

 top there is a board about eight or ten inches broad for 

 setting the basket, and also for the picker to stand on 



Fig. 15. STEP LADDER. Fig. 16. CHEAP LADDER. 



while picking the highest peaches. Through the top runs 

 an iron rod, or wooden rung, which fastens the support. 

 This latter consists of two poles or narrow pieces of scant- 

 ling, fastened together by cross-bars, such as shingling 

 lath, which rotates on the rod or rung, and can be drawn 

 out from, or up to, the steps at will. Both the ladder and 

 support are wider at the bottom than at the top, which 

 insures against toppling over. 

 A simple and cheaper ladder is made by taking four 



