340 



shake off the bushes readily and part from the stem on which they 

 grow. 



Melons sometimes puzzle the inexperienced growers. Water 

 melons often sound hollow to percussion, and the stalk begins to 

 wither, although this is not an infallible sign. A crackling sound 

 is heard when pressing lightly on the melon. One of the best 

 symptoms, however, is the clearer colour of the rind, which at times 

 shows a faint tint of yellow. Musk and rock melons, when ripen- 

 ing, sometimes crack more or less up to the stem. On pulling they 

 should come clean off. Some of the larger varieties do not part so 

 readily from the stem, a.nd if pulled show a large hole in the rind ; 

 with those it is best, to cut the stem. 



Of other fruit, bananas, tomatoes, and persimmons are picked 

 when just showing faint signs of approaching maturity, as they 

 ripen during transit, and may with safety be held back until ready 

 for use. 



For the convenience of pickers, and for ensuring that fruit is 

 gathered expeditiously and without bruises, a few ingenious orchard 

 appliances are here illustrated. 



A long and light orchard ladder is essential when prunning tall 

 trees and gathering fruit. Such a ladder can readily be made of 



Fruit Ladder. 



some fibrous kind of timber, such as stringy bark or Oregon pine. 

 The peaked top enables it to be run into the top of tall trees and 

 rested against a branch. 



On page 117 is illustrated a clumsy four-footed step-ladder, 

 which is generally heavy and easily dislocated. An ordinary-hinged 

 step ladder with a flat top, where baskets may be placed, is very useful. 



