Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-08-21
farm. 6arfen 4 aJoaaetpld.
a4THERING FRUIT.

The goytic,,ltlBist says; The appearance
and vaIue of fruit depend very much upon
when and how 1t is gathered. Strawberries,
;fnieked carefully with halt or quarter Of an
;rcb ofthe stem attached to each berry, and
laid carefully into the basket, viii carry better
and sell for a greater price than when pulled
bap.hazard, some with hulls and stems on and
some with them of. Again, ifthey are gather
ed when they are perfectly dry, they willkeep
longer and retain better flavor thanif gather
ed while wei. s little water not only hastens
decay, but It rapidly destroys the aayer 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 a little while Of expo
sure to hot, clear sun to destroy their bright
ness Of color.
Cprrants should also be gatheaed with
their stems they should also be dry, and all
leaves thrown out. Gooseberries, iffor ship
nj ent, should be gathered dry, and careful
expulsion ofalI leaves will cause them always
to command the best price. Like the straw
berries. care should always be taken not to
expose them to hot sun after gathering; for
such exposure soon gives the appearance Of
being half cooked.
Raspberries and blacgberries are too often
seen in market aud on the table half broken
and mashed. None but whole and perfect
berries should ever 60 into the box or basket
for market It pays to carefully assort them
before sending to market; for the minging Of
q few bruised or mashed berries induces de
cay and detracts from their value in the judg-
ment Of the dealer.
Cherries should never be gathered when
otherwise than perfectly dry. We have
known them to decay entirely in twenty four
hours wbeB gathered while wet. 1t pays also
with cherries for market to carefully sort
them over on a table, picking out any mashed
or wormy or imperfect fruit before sending to
market Of course the stems are, or always
should be, attached, although we have occa-
sionally 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 mar
ke,ed. IF the bloom is rubbed of the peach,
by rough handling, its beauty Of appearance
is injured, and it viii decay much sooner than
If untouched Formerly it was supposed that
the peach must be gathered before ripe in
orderto ship it any distance; but practical
experience has proven tia. ripe fruit, not
quite soft, will carry just as well as unripe
and command much better price.
Pears and apples should never be picked
from the tree by breaking the stems Unless
the stem will separate freely from the tree,
the fruit is not ripe; it win neither eat nor
cook good, and is only it for those who want
a 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 high
est price, all fruit pays to be assorted into
two or more grades. a few scattering large
berries, apples or pears, in a quart or bushel,
do not assist in advancing the price; but if
carefully packed by themselves will bring the
highest price, and often induce the dealer to
buy the small fruit in order to get the large.