134 



POPULAR FRUIT GROWING. 



ripening, as there is liable to be serious loss from this cause. 

 Winter apples generally keep best if picked a little before they 

 are fully colored, but while still firm and hard. Grapes should 

 be picked when fully ripe, as they do not ripen after being 

 picked. 



Fig. 64. Picking scene in an apple orchard. Note the low-headed 

 trees, which make it possible to reach all the fruit from the ground 

 or from short ladders. The pickers are equipped with canvas bags 

 hung over the shoulders, in which the fruit is placed as picked. 

 This leaves both hands free and allows rapid work. The fruit is 

 taken to the packing shed in bushel baskets, and is then care- 

 fully packed in boxes or barrels. 



The stems should be left on strawberries, plums, apples, 

 pears, grapes, currants and cherries. If the stems are pulled 

 out of the fruits, injuries are caused that encourage rotting. 



Fruit should seldom be shipped in the same package that 



