Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-09-09
GATHERING OF RIPE FRUIT

GATE EK1NG OF RIEE II IL U1I.Fss
The following is by John Hopes,
celebrated fruit grower and writer ON
hortiapsalttuge of Pennsylvania, ands, will
be found seasonable and useful to the
fruit grower: IS
''In regard to the gathering of ripe
fruits of different kinds, no fruit should
be taken from the tree or plant during
damp time, and especially when the dew
is plentiful in early morning. Never be
so hurried as to find cause for the excuse.
| had no time to hand pick my fruit,
and consequently, was forced to shake
them off for such is very poor policy
Fruit so gathered will almost inevitably
decay from the effects of bruise.-
Each specimen should be taken from the
tree one by one, handled as if they had
been so many eggs. The slightest bruise
or even abrasion of the skin is the sure
forerunner of a dark spot, which will
eventually change into some form of rot.
The spores or seed of fungi are always
ready to assist in the work of dissolu-
ton, and the slightest scratch gives them
/ a foothold for their destructive work.
Scarcely any variety of the largest fruits
color and ripen so we'll if left to perfect
themselves on the tree, and especially is
this true in respect to pears. Summer
varieties, as they approach maturity,
loosen their hold somewhat upon the
limb, and by gently raising the fruit
they will easily detach themselves at
the proper period. This is an excellent
test, and may always be relied on. To
| color up fruit nicely, all that is neces-
sary will be to spread a blanket on the
floor of q cool room, and then thinly and
evenly place the fruit on the floor A
second blanket must be spread over them
and in short time the effect of this
treatment will be apparent in the most
golden-colored Bartletts and rich ruddy
looking Seckles imaginable. Pears per
fected in this manner rarely have the
mealiness of their naturally ripened com
panions; nor do they prematurely decay
at the core as when left on the tree.
Peaches are too frequently gathered
before attaining full size, and when thi
is the case we need not expect good fla
vor. They must obtain this requisit
before gathering; although it is not nee
essary to delay picking until very mel
, low. ~
As a general rule, all small fruits ar
e gathered too early; and as high color
4 not sign Of maturity, many inexpel
= fenced fruit growers are misled. Neve
: pick strawberries because they are rec
u nor blackberries solely on account {
their dark appearance. Each shout
! remain on the plant for some time Their,
= after. The Albany Seeding strawberr
changes to deep crimson hue, an
gains continually in size after its fir
coloring process. 1t is then soft and e,
cellent eating. And so with blackbe
ries in like manner, many complaint
of the extreme tartness when the fau
was in gathering imperfect fruit. II
!, Lawton or New Rochelle variety, in pa
ticular, is delicious eating, if allowed
remain on the plant until soft, when Il
:, slightest touch will sever its hold
: Strawberries picked with the calyx {
- hulD adhering will always carry bett
- and be less liable to decay than if cal
:. lessly pulled without this appendage.
" The foregoing remarks in relation
Q the proper time for gathering fruit a
equally applicable to the grape. The
- generally color long before they are n
- ture; and thus many novice in fri
:, culture frequently forms an unjust OPT
!, - ion of his varieties simply from testi
~ unripe specimens. Grapes should
81 ways be severed from the vine w
~ strong scissors or trimming shears. a
:. never twisted or broken off.
nj