74 Bush-Fruits 



or gathered with the harvester but it is differently distrib- 

 uted. Under some conditions one method will prove 

 best and under other conditions the other will be most 

 satisfactory. 



The harvester shown in Fig. 11 is a simple affair, con- 

 sisting of a canvas tray some three feet square, there being 



only enough wood about it 

 to form a frame-work and 

 enable it to be moved about. 

 Under the corner which rests 

 on the ground, there is a sort 

 of shoe of wood, enabling it 

 to be slid along from bush to 



Fig. 11. Berry harvester. . . T . , . 



bush. In one hand the op- 

 erator carries a large wire hook, with which the bushes 

 are drawn over the canvas, or lifted up if too low down 

 and in the way. In the other hand is a bat, resem- 

 bling a lawn-tennis racket, with which he knocks off the 

 ripe berries. This bat is merely a canvas-covered loop 

 of heavy wire fastened in a convenient handle. In 

 place of this, some use a wooden paddle, at the risk of 

 bruising the fruit unnecessarily. In gathering by this 

 method, the berries are allowed to become very ripe, and 

 the plantation is gone over but two or three times in a 

 season. Many dry leaves, some stems, and a few green 

 -berries, are knocked off with the fruit. The leaves are not 

 objectionable, for they help to absorb moisture before 

 and after drying, and may aid in preventing mold if the 

 fruit has to stand for some time before going to the evap- 

 orator. The leaves are quickly taken out by running 

 the fruit through a fanning mill after it is dried. Some 



