74 FRUIT CULTURE. 



where it was of little value. In the most vigorous shaking 

 given to the trees there were always a few stragglers 

 who survived the shock, and these were dealt with by 

 the use of a long pole. Such a method is only admissible 

 in the case of fruit intended for cider-making. 



TIME TO GATHEK. 



As to the early varieties and those intended to be sent 

 direct to market, it is important to gather them as early 

 as possible, and many of them may be gathered even 

 before they are ripe, as allowance has to be made for the 

 time that must elapse between gathering and the con- 

 sumption of the fruit, and many of these early varieties 

 ripen very quickly after gathering and last but a very 

 short time in a fit condition for use. Even some of the 

 later or mid-season varieties may be gathered before they 

 arc ripe under special circumstances. For instance, if 

 the crop should be somewhat short and prices high early 

 in the season, it will in some cases pay the cultivator to 

 gather some varieties even before they have attained 

 their full size. One of the varieties that will often pay 

 for treating in this way, is the Warner's King. But 

 this matter can only be determined by the condition of 

 the market at the time. 



In gathering fruit, especially apples and pears, to be 

 stored for mid-season or late use, it is needful to allow 

 them to remain on the tree until fully matured. A 

 general fault in gathering for storing is perhaps to gather 

 too early. This results in the fruit shrinking in the 

 stores, causing the rind to shrivel and giving the fruit 

 a soft, leathery, and unattractive appearance, besides 

 being of poor quality through not having been properly 

 supplied with the juices and saccharine matter which 



