Suggestions on Picking 29 



boxes or large pots early in spring in order to become well 

 established before fall. At any time after freezing weather 

 has come they can be transferred to the forcing-house. A 

 limited trial made some years ago indicated that a com- 

 paratively high temperature and artificial pollination are 

 essential. 



SUGGESTIONS ON PICKING 



Picking should not be done when the fruit is wet, if it 

 is possible to avoid it. Wet fruit will mold quickly, es- 

 pecially in damp weather, and is likely to reach the con- 

 sumer in very bad condition. The filled baskets should 

 not be allowed to stand in the sun. Gooseberries es- 

 pecially, are very quickly injured. Exposure to the sun 

 even for a short time on a hot day will change their color, 

 giving them a cooked appearance and seriously injuring 

 their market qualities. The baskets should be promptly 

 taken to a cool shady place, and from there to the market 

 and the consumer, with the least possible delay. Free 

 access of air is usually considered important, but if the 

 fruit is perfectly dry when picked, and the air dry as well, 

 this is unimportant and sometimes even undesirable. 

 Under such conditions fruit will remain much brighter 

 and fresher if shut up fairly close. A spring wagon of 

 some kind is needed in hauling. What this is will depend 

 on the amount to be handled. For large quantities bolster 

 springs for the ordinary farm wagon, or some special form 

 of truck wagon, will be needed. Good roads over which 

 to travel are also a great help in getting the fruit to market 

 in the proper condition. 



Systematic records showing the number of quarts picked 



