CHAPTER XVIII. 



PICKING FRUIT. 



Two good fruit rules : Never pick fruits when they are wet, 

 and handle them like eggs. Tim. 



' ' How am I to know the right season to pick my 

 apples or pears?" is a question often asked. The 

 simplest method of determining the matter is to take 

 hold of a pear or an apple on the tree and 

 gently bend it upward. If ripe enough to 

 pick, the stem will part from the branch 

 without breaking. But, in addition to this 

 method, the experienced grower is guided 

 largely b^ the ' ' time of ripening ' ' of each 

 variety. Bach kind of fruit has its own 

 season for reaching maturity ; catalogs, fruit 

 lists and observation easily make that season 

 known to any one who desires the informa- HANDY 

 tion. The appearance of the fruit, and whether LAr>DER 

 or not its seeds look black and mature, are further 

 guides. It is important to do the picking only during 

 cool, clear weather. 



All orchardists should pick (not pull or shake) 

 their fruit from the trees if they would get the best 

 prices. But, many trees are being slowly ruined by 

 careless picking the kind that pulls off the little 

 spur that has developed the fruit, which if left will 

 develop fruits in after years. There is a slaughter of 

 these spurs in most orchards. Grasp the apple or 



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