Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-17
Gathering and Packing Eruits.

Mr.. Barry, IN his Fruit Book, gives q very
useful chapter on this subject, part OF which
we copy:
This is a branch of the general subjec, OF
fruit culture and mans cement that req uires
the most careful attention; for II is quite use
less 10 take pains In producing fine fruits,
without taking equal pans In gathering,
preserving and sending them to the table or
The market in q sound, slightly and proper
condition. Very few fruit growers seem to
appreciate this part OF their business. Fruit
dealers al home and abroad complain OF the
fruits are gathered, packed and presented in
the market, and would gladly pay double
price tor them in q better condition.. The first
cons lGeIatio
Ths period Of maturity at scLici fruits should
he gathered. The stone fruits generally are
allowed 10 reach perfect maturity, or within
cool seasons particularly, they are benefited
by being gathered few days before maturity,
and allowed 70 ripen in dry, warm ROOM
they part with the water contained in their
juices, which thus become better elaborated
and more sugary and high Favored
Summer pears, TOO, on the same principle,
require 70 be gathered, as a general thing,
nom week 10 a fortnight before their ma
tnrity. Sweet varieties, and such as are
inclined 70 become meoly, are entirely worth
less when rpened on the trees and MANY very
excellent varieties are condemned on this &C.
count Such as these should be gathered the
moment the skin begins 10 change color In the
least degree.
Summer apples, too, and especially those
inclined 70 naeaiiness, should be picked early
as soon as The skin begins TO cnange color
otherwise they part with their juices, and
b. come worthless. Riperess Is indicated by
the seeds turning dark coiored, and by the
stem parting readily from the tree when it is
lifted upward.
Winter apples and pears should be allowed
TO remain on The trees as long vegetation is
active, or until frosts are apprenended.
Grapes, berries. &c., are ailowes 10 attain
perfect maturity before being gathered.
NODE ~ Gathering IL be q Re W speci.
meIs wanted for Immediate use. which may
be taken with some Of the contriyances mem
none q under The head of inn dement's, all fruits
should be gathered by the hand The branch
10 oe gathered from should be taken in one
nano, ana the fruits carefully taken off one
by one, with the other, with their stems att,ch
ed. (For fruits neither keep so well nor look
so we'll, without the stems) Thew n re than
laid carefully in single layers, in broad shall
low baskets, the bottom OF which should he
covered with paper or moss, 10 pre- vent br utses
Peaches and ether sof, fruits should he nrsssad
lightly as possible. for anything like a
squeeze is certainly followed by decay in the
why 1t is SO exceedingly difficult to find a
perfectly sound and at the same time rina
peach in our markets.
when more than one layer OF fruit is laid in
the same basket. some soft paper, dry moss
hay or other material, ought TO separate them,
Tor u is difficult 70 place one layer immedl-
ateiy upon another, and especially IL the
nuts are approaching maturity, without
bIuising them more or iess. Fruit should
only be- gsthered in dry weather, and in the
Orv tine OF the day.
Disposition Of Me Fruits after Gathsria1-
When they are thus In the baskets, If sum mer
HuIe, ihty sre either carried into fhs fruit
room and arranged on shelves or tables in
thin layers, or they are carefully Transferred
one ~ one ir TO market has kets and carried IN
market on an easy spring wagon, II not
oy eLam ocat or railroad, by which jarring
or joitng Will be avoided. Treated in this