124 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION, 



and then give the tree a gentle shake. By so doing, only 

 those fruits that are fully ripe will fall off, and these will 

 be in the best condition for eating. In the case of pyra- 

 mids and wall trees, the fruit can be gathered by hand. 



Pests and Diseases. There are practically none. Wasps 

 and birds will attack the fruits, but, as a rule, the quantity 

 they devour is small. Large trees are liable to have their 

 branches break off owing to the weight of leaves and 

 fruit; therefore very large ones should be supported by 

 props, or linked up by chains to the main body of the 

 tree. 



