PREPARING PRODUCE FOR SALE 67 



Raspberries in that condition, for they are the most 

 perishable outdoor fruits a grower has to deal with in 

 a ripe state. Both are picked with the stalks by pre- 

 ference for ordinary market work, but sometimes they 

 are gathered without the stalks for preservers, though 

 occasionally these prefer to have that work performed in 

 their own factories. 



Ripe Gooseberries demand careful handling and 

 prompt gathering before they are too advanced. Heavy 

 rain after a dry time is apt to lead to serious losses in 

 burst fruits when the last stage of ripening is reached, 

 so judgment and observation are requisite to minimise 

 risks. Ripe Plums are also liable to much damage by 

 cracking in wet weather, and some varieties, like Early 

 Orleans, are very subject to this defect. All the 

 choicest varieties for dessert should be gathered with 

 the utmost care, and just before they are fully ripe, 

 which also applies to most stone fruits, as Cherries, 

 Apricots, and Peaches. Plums for preserving on a large 

 scale are sometimes gathered when not more than half 

 ripe and partly coloured. This is particularly the case 

 with the Pershore Plum, of which many tons are sent 

 from Worcestershire to jam-makers in various districts, 

 in a state that the inexperienced would consider much 

 too unripe for the purpose. 



Pears in most cases have to be gathered considerably 

 before they are fully ripe, in fact, many profitable 

 market Pears would be useless for sale if left to ripen 

 on the trees. There is one great advantage about these 

 fruits, and that is, provided they are not gathered too 

 early, their best qualities of flavour and aroma are 

 developed almost as well as when on the trees. The 

 large consignments of Pears from France and California 

 prove the truth of this statement, for all of these, but 

 especially those from America, are gathered considerably 

 in advance of their ripening period. By growing the 



