Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-07-03
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{ Gathering Fruit.

THE appearance and value of fruit de-
pend very much upon when and how it is
gathered. Strawberries, if picked care
fully with half or quarter of an inch of
the stem attached to each berry, and laid
carefully into the basket, will carry better
and sell for greater price than when
pulled hap-hazard, some with hulls and
stems on and some with them Off Again,
if they are gathered when they are per-
tectly dry, they will keep longer and re-
tain better flavor than if gathered while
wet. A little water not only hastens de-
cay, but it rapidly destroys the flavor of
many delicate, soft varieties. After being
gathered, they should never be allowed to
stand out exposed to the sun, as with many
varieties it takes but little while of ex-
posture to hot, clear sun to destroy their
brightness of color. 8
Currants should also be gathered with
their stems; they should also be dry, and
all leaves thrown out. Gooseberries, if
for shipment, should be gathered dry, and
careful expulsion of all leaves will cause
them always to command the best price
Like the strawberries, care should always
be taken not to expose them to hot sun
after gathering, for such exposure soon
gives them the appearance of being half
cooked. 1900.
Raspberries and blackberries are too
often seen in market and on the table half
broken and mashed None but whole and
perfect berries should ever 60 into the box
or basket for market 1t pays to carefully
assert them before sending to market, for
the mlngling of few bruised or mashed
berries induces decay and detracts from
tier value in the judgment of the dealer.
Cherries should never be gathered when
otherwise than perfectly dry. We have
known them to decay entirely in twenty
four hours when gathered while wet. 1t
pays also with cherries for market to care
fully sort them over on table, picking
out any mashed or wormy or imperfect
fruit before sending to market. OF course
the stems are, or always should be, attach
ed, although we have occasionally seen
them in market looking more like round
cranberries than cherries.
Peaches should be left on the tree until
fully ripe, and then gathered carefully
with thumb and finger, and at once laid
into the basket or box in which they are
to be marketed If the bloom is rubbed
off the peach by rough handling it's beauty
of appearance is injured, and it will decay
much sooner than if untouched. Formerly
it was supposed that the peach must be
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it any distance; but practical experience
has proven that ripe fruit, not quite soft,
will carry just as well as unripe, and COM
mand a much better price.
Pears and apples should never be picked
from the tree by breaking the stems. I'm
less the stem will separate freely from the
tree, the fruit is not ripe; it will neither
cat or cook good, and is only fit for those
who want touch of cholera morbus.
Apples as soon as gathered may be sent
direct to market; but nearly every variety
of pear is improved in appearance and
quality by keeping in close, dark drawers,
wrapped in flannel or soft paper, or
packed in bran few days.
For profit, and in order to obtain the
highest price, all fruit pays to be assorted
into two or more grades. A few scatter
ing large berries, apples, or pears in a
quart or bushel do not assist in advancing
the price; but if carefully packed by them
selves will bring the highest price, and
often induce the dealer to buy the small
fruit in order to get the large.-Horticu1-
turSSt