KEEPING THE CROP 187 



As fast as the basket is filled the picker descends to the ground 

 and carefully transfers the fruit to boxes or barrels. 



The ladder used for picking from large trees may consist of a 

 main shaft split open for the lower six feet. The rounds or steps 

 are put through these two forks; where the shaft is single, the 

 steps extend through it, and are curved upward to keep the 

 man's feet from slipping. The top of the ladder rests against the 

 outer branches of the tree and is more stable than a common 



Fig. 113. — Two steps in working over an old apple tree by cleft grafting cions of a better 

 variety. The success of this work depends upon an even growth and good union of the woods 

 of stocks and cions. Budding on smaller twigs is more successful. 



step ladder. For small trees a common step ladder eight or ten 

 feet in length may be used. 



The fruit should be removed from the tree twig by a twisting 

 motion, or by placing the thumb nail at the end of the apple stem. 

 Care should be exercised not to remove the fruit spurs with the 

 fruit. It is a bad practice to allow the apple stem to be pulled cut 

 from the apple cavity. This is likely to start fruit rot, and the 

 fruit will not keep so well in storage. 



Keeping the Crop. — Summer varieties are usually not held long. 

 They are intended for immediate use, and the surplus should be 



