HARVESTING THE CROP 



521 



quality should be permitted to develop. Some varieties, as 

 Moore Early, tend to crack if left on the vines too long, espe- 

 cially if rains have been abundant during the ripening period. 



Pointed spring scissors, known as picking shears, serve best. 

 Clip the stem closely so that the stub may not extend to punc- 

 ture adjacent clusters (Fig. 214). Remove all defective berries, 

 taking care not to puncture the skin of the berries that remain. 



{Mo. Exp. Sta.) 



Fig. 214. This illustrates a good method of 

 handling the cluster when picking, holding the 

 fruit gently in the open hand and clipping the 

 stem close to the shoulder. 



If the fruit is to be repacked at the packing house, the trim- 

 ming of the clusters may be done at that time. 



The fruit may be picked into trays or lug boxes holding 

 from 20 to 30 pounds (Fig. 215) . Place them on light, mov- 

 able wooden stands, a little less than waist high, so that they 

 may be filled and carried easily. Pick when possible from the 

 windward side of the vines, since the foliage will be less dense, 

 and the clusters more evident than on the off side of the trellis. 



