HARVESTING 



329 



trees a little before they are ripe. They mature with less grit and 

 better flavor if kept in a dark place during the ripening period. 



Peaches, and sometimes other fruits, need thinning, just after 

 the fruit begins to grow (Figs. 220 and 221). This will make better 



FIG. 220. 



FIG. 221. 



FIG. 220. When fruit is growing in dense clusters the crowding retards growth, spreads 

 disease, and injures the tree. The clusters should be thinned while the fruit is small. (New 

 Jersey Station.) 



FIG. 221. When fruit is thinned it grows much larger, is less affected with rot and sells at 

 a higher price. (New Jersey Station.) 



fruit and will greatly simplify the work at harvest time. The fruit 

 is more uniform in size and less sorting is necessary. 



There is a close relationship between the system of pruning 

 and the labor involved at harvest time, at least with the tree fruits. 

 If apple trees, peach trees, and others have their heads all near the. 



