216 



BUIST'S FAMILY KITCHEN GARDENER. 



Gathering the Fruit. — The common practice of picking the 

 fruit with the footstalks attached, is one of the very worst sys- 

 tems, causing them to be handled and re-picked before they go 

 to the table. Early in the morning take a vessel, basket, or 

 box, of convenient size, and pick the fruit before it is softened 

 by the sun. Lay hold of the calyx or cup at the base of the 

 fruit, with the nail of the first finger and thumb of the left 

 hand, and with the first finger of the right, give the fruit a 

 gentle but quick draw, and it will come oflf into the hand with- 

 out the least bruise or damage of any kind — and thus proceed 

 till your vessel is full. Strawberries should go to the table 

 without being turned or handled in any way, when the full, 

 rich aroma of the fruit will be preserved. Those that are car- 

 ried to market to be retailed for family u&e, should all be in 

 portable boxes, in the same way as Raspberries. The present 

 mode is disgusting in the extreme ; large tubfuls, bruised and 

 crushed, spooned into quart measures from vessels of very 

 questionable character, in both color and appearance. The 

 denizens carrying home their quantum of mashed matter, un- 

 der the name of Strawberry, from such a mixture, can know 

 little of the delicious aroma and rich flavor of the pure fruit 

 called Strawberry. 



CftPHE END, 



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