26cS 



THE APPLE 



check its falling to the ground, and with the free fingers or, better 

 still, with the other hand, sever the stem from the twig by a side 

 pressure at the joint. Do not press the apple with the hand. 

 Apples are delicate and are often bruised by what would seem to 

 be a slight pressure. With practice the operator can learn to 



remove the apple with one 

 hand without pressing or 

 bruising it. As each apple 

 is picked it should be 

 carefully placed in a recep- 

 tacle. The exact time of 

 picking will depend on the 

 variety and perhaps on 

 the tree or on the part of 

 the tree. 



Equipment for picking. 

 In order to carry on the 

 operation of harvesting 

 a crop of apples success- 

 fully, it is important that 

 an adequate equipment be 

 supplied. Every picker 

 should be given a recep- 

 tacle to hold the apples. 

 Some growers prefer a 

 peck basket, others a half- 

 bushel basket. Split wood 

 is used in the construc- 

 tion of the baskets, which 

 generally have round sides, 

 a small, flat bottom, and 

 a substantial handle. Some orchardists prefer canvas baskets, can- 

 vas bags, and the like, each operator being advised to select the 

 picking-receptacle that he can use best. 



When the trees are young and small, most of the fruit can be 

 easily reached from the ground, but as they increase in age and 

 size it is necessary to have some aid in reaching the fruit. Short 

 stepladders with four legs, common in many households, are used. 



Harvesting 



Harvesting from a modern stepladder. Using 

 bag for the picking-receptacle 



