176 



tfARM APPLIANCES. 



handle. A thumb-stop is fastened to the upper end, &s 

 shown in figure 208. The thumb end is held up by a, 

 small spring, which presses the upper end into notches in an 

 iron rachet-bar fitted into the pole. A screw-eye is inserted 

 in the upper end, and a cord attached. The pole may be 

 of any desired length. 

 To pick apples, grasp the pole at the lower end with 



Fig. 206. 



Fig. 208. 



one hand, and by the sliding-box handle with the other. 

 Press the thumb-piece and slide it up, and the weight of 

 piece I opens the jaws of the picker. When the apple is 

 in the cage, draw the slides down until the points of the 

 picker meet on the apple stem. The thumb-stop will 

 hold it secure. Turn the pole slowly without pulling, 

 pushing, or shaking the limb, and the apple will come off 



