

PICKING AND RIPENING FRUIT. 



There are few subjects more perplexing to the fruit-grower than that 

 which we have taken for our text. A great deal has been written to prove 

 this theory or that ; and tlie readers have not become much the wiser for 

 all their reading. Now, we do not expect to throw much additional light 

 upon the subject, or to succeed where others have failed ; nor shall we at- 

 tempt any thing beyond gi\"ing a few plain, practical thoughts and sugges- 

 tions on this important subject. There is no doubt that much of our fruit 

 is injured in flavor by being picked too soon, or, oftener, by being allowed 

 to remain on the trees or vines too long. We shall briefly refer to some 

 of the early fruits, and then devote more space to the later and larger 

 ones. The strawberry is the first fruit to ripen, and so demands a passing 

 notice. The larger part of this fruit that is sent to market from long dis- 

 tances is picked before it is fully ripe, and before it has attained its highest 

 flavor. Few fruits are better than well-ripened strawberries, and few are 

 poorer than the same when picked too soon. One of the strongest reasons 

 why we always encourage every person living in the country to plant a 

 strawberry-bed is, that he may raise this fruit, and so have it in its greatest 



VOL. III. 41 321 



