PICKING 



15 



for the table. It has been proved that corn loses its 

 sweetness from the minute it is picked ; it should be picked 

 if possible, therefore, just before it is to be cooked. Other 

 vegetables, except lettuce, do not so soon lose their fresh- 

 ness; but there is no reason why a home vegetable gar- 



Fig. 11. — Pick carefully. By careless dragging at pea vines the picker 

 may either tear them from the trellis or loosen them in the earth. 



dener should ever pick his vegetables the day before they 

 are used. Generally they should be picked early in the 

 morning, before the sun has been on them. And this 

 time, which is good for the vegetables, is good for the gar- 

 dener, too. 



Unless his supply is very short, the gardener should bring 

 to the house only perfect vegetables. To save his supply, 

 he should learn how much to pick for each day's needs. 



