332 



FRUIT GROWING 



winter. If the weather permits they may be allowed to remain on 

 the trees until considerable color is attained, and this is also pos- 

 sible if the marketing is to soon follow the picking season. The 

 keeping of fruits in cold storage makes it possible to allow them to 



FIG. 223. The best grades of peaches are commonly marketed in the small baskets 

 crated as shown, called "Georgia carriers." The inferior grades are marketed in common 

 peach baskets as shown on the right. (New Jersey Station.) 



more completely ripen before picking, but when they are taken 

 from the storage house they are certain to decay quickly if too 

 ripe at storing time. 



As already stated, pears will ripen best off the tree. Gritty 



FIG. 224. 



FIG 225. 



FIG. 224. The very choicest peaches are sometimes wrapped in paper bearing the grower's 



name and brand. (New Jersey Station.) 



FIG. 225. Nectarines and choice Japanese plums may be attractively packed in paper- 

 lined berry boxes. (New Jersey Station.) 



mineral matter or woody tissue forms in the cells of the fruit and 

 the quality is greatly reduced thereby. Pears are therefore best 

 picked as soon as they reach full size, or have only slightly begun 

 to show signs of ripening. The ease with which the fruit stem is 

 picked from the spur will indicate the advancement of the fruit. 



