50 



Harvesting and Marketing. 



Peaches should be allowed to hang on the trees until as 

 nearly ripe as possible. For near-by markets the time to pick 

 is when they are well colored and at the first signs of softening 

 on one cheek. Then they should be hurried into the con- 

 sumer's hands as rapidly as possible. If several days must 

 elapse on the way they must be picked a little sooner. Gener- 

 ally it will be necessary to go over the trees twice or three 

 times to get all the fruit in the best condition. If hot weather 

 prevails at ripening, thej^ will often all come on at once. As 

 with all fruit great care should be taken to avoid bruising and 

 consequent decay. 



The package most commonly used is the 14-quart Jersey 

 basket. Except in years of a generally heavy crop marketing 

 is a simple problem, and as previously pointed out the greatest 

 success follows where one can get a good crop in years of 

 scarcity. The American people spend too much money in 

 carrying food products long distances. Let us produce more 

 peaches at home and avoid this transportation cost. 



