FRUIT-TREES. 287 



C FI A P. XCIX. 



Gathering and Prefervmg Autumn and 

 Winter Fruits, 



SOme kinds, when they are full grown, 

 will fail from the trees before they are 

 ripe : thefe may properly be called winter 

 and autumn pears : and when the healthy 

 ones of thefe kinds begin to fall, it is a cer- 

 tain fign they want gathering, which ought 

 to be done when the fruit is quite dry ; 

 but they are feldom all ready for gathering 

 at the fame time, and this may be eafily 

 known by moving the fruit gently upward; 

 and thofe that don't quit their ftuds ought 

 to be left upon the trees fometime longer, 

 for what are gathered by greater force are 

 fubjecl to fhrivel, and not well flavoured. 



As pears are the beft fruit the winter 

 months afford, they are worthy of the 

 greatelt care in preferving ; and, if rightly 

 ordered, may be kept fit for ufe till the 

 next feafon will furnifh us with a new 

 fupply ; which may be eafily done, if the 

 following directions are carefully obferved. 



After 



