370 



The Principles of Fruit-growing 



FIG. 133. A good berry-stand for the field. 



How to pick. 



In picking the soft fruits, like cherries and plums, the 

 operator grasps the stem and not the fruit itself. In this 



way he does not remove 

 the delicate bloom, and 

 does not injure the fruit 

 when pulling it from 

 the spur. In the case of 

 grapes, it is likewise very 

 important, especially in 

 those with a heavy bloom, that the picker should not 

 grasp the bunch itself, but should take the cluster by the 

 stem and snip it off with shears (which are made for the 

 purpose). In the case of peaches and apricots, this pre- 

 caution, of course, need not be taken, because the stem does 

 not naturally adhere to the fruit; but the operator must 

 be very careful, when picking these fruits, not to grasp 

 them too tightly, otherwise he will bruise them and cause 

 them to become discolored. Strawberries should always 

 be picked with the stems on. A berry that has the hull 

 pulled out is not fit for the market. The picker should 

 grasp the stem itself and pinch it off between the thumb 

 and finger. Every evidence of fruits having been touched 

 by the hands detracts from their market value. 



On all fruits that grow on a distinct pedicel or stem, 

 this stem should be allowed 

 to remain. Pears with the 

 stems pulled out or broken 

 in two are never first-class 

 fruits, no matter how good 

 and uniform the specimens 

 otherwise may be. This is 

 even true of apples when they 



