330 FRUIT GROWING 



ground the work of picking is much reduced. When the trees are 

 headed several feet above the ground, the long shaft adds that 

 much to the height which the picker must surmount at picking 

 time. Ladders are sometimes, so tall that it is difficult to manage 

 them, or to move them from place to place around the tree. Light 

 ladders should be used, not only because they are more easily 

 handled, but -because they will break fewer of the twigs and limbs 

 when the picker ascends them. 



If peach trees can always be picked from a common step-ladder 

 five or perhaps seven feet in height, the work is much simplified 

 and the picking is much more rapid than if heavy picking stands 

 or trucks have to be moved about for this work. 



Special harvesters are sometimes used for fruits that are other- 

 wise out of reach A small wire basket surmounted with a few 

 sharp tines arranged like comb teeth is mounted on the end of a 

 light pole. The tines will pull off the fruit which is held in the 

 little basket until it is brought down and removed by hand. An- 

 other simple plan is to have a Y-shaped piece of metal projecting 

 a few inches at right angles to the end of a light pole. Just below 

 this is attached a ring from which hangs a bag or sleeve of cloth. 

 The operator uses the Y piece of metal to pick off the fruit which 

 drops into the sleeve without bruising it. Another form of picker 

 is provided with a pair of tongs at the end of a pole, the tongs 

 being closed by pulling on a cord or wire which is fastened to the 

 lower end of the pole. The tongs are provided with two concave 

 jaws which grasp the fruit firmly and prevent its dropping. 



When to Pick. Much judgment and considerable practice are 

 required to determine just the right stage of development of 

 peaches, apples, pears and plums that are to be picked. If the dis- 

 tance for shipment is great, the development of the ripening period 

 is less than if they are to be marketed more locally. If picked 

 too green, fruits are likely to reach market in a bitter or tough 

 condition, and their immaturities will be very evident. On the 

 other hand, if the picking is delayed too long, the fruit will not 

 "hold up" during shipment, and the result may be a serious loss 

 to the shipper. 



Even with small fruits such as blackberries and strawberries, 

 the same is true. Strawberries must have completely colored to 

 the tip before being picked or they will not be well received in 

 market. Blackberries to be properly ripened should be soft, and 

 the sharp acid taste should be passed. Of course they cannot be 



