The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-07-31
On the Gathering OF Ripe Fruit.

The following Is by Josiah Hooper, a
celebrated fruit-grower and writer on hor-
ticulture, of Pennsylvania, and will be
found seasonable and useful To the fruit
grower:
:" 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 any cause for the ex-
cuse. had no time TO hand-pick my fruit,
and consequently, was forced TO shake
them off, for such is poor policy. Fruit
so gathered will almost inevitably decay
from the effects of bruises. Each specimen
should be taken from the tree one by one,
handled as If they had been so many eggs.
The slightest bruise or abrasion Of the
skin is the sure forerunner OF "A dark spot,
which will eventually change into some
form OF rot. The spores of seed Of fungi
are always ready TO assist in the work Of
dissolution, and the slightest scratch gives
them foothold for their destructive work.
Scarcely any variety Of the largest fruits
color and ripen so well ifleft to perfect them
selves on the tree, and especially is this
true i'm respect TO pears. Summer varie-
ties. as they approach maturity, loosen
their hold somewhat on the limb, and by
gently raising the fruit they will easily de-
tach themselves at the proper period. This
is an excellent test, and may always be re-
lied on. To color up fruit nicely, all that
is necessary will be to spread a blanket on
the floor of 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 treat
ment will be apparent in the most golden
colored Bartletts, and rich, ruddy-looking
Seckels imaginable. Pears perfected i'm
this manner rarely have the meali-
ness of their naturally ripened COM
panions nor do they prematurely
decay at the core rs when left on the
tree. Peaches are too frequently gathered
before attaining the full size, and when
this is the case we need not expect good
flavor. They must obtain this requisite
before gathering although il is not
necessary to delay picking until very mel
low. As "A general rule. all small fruits
are gathered too early and, as high color
is not sign of maturity, many expert
enced fruit-growers are frequently mlsled.
Never pick strawberries because they are
red, nor blackberries solely on account of
their dark appearance. Each should re-
main on the plant for some time thereaf-
ter. The Albany Seeding strawberry
changes TO deep crimson hue. and gains
continually i'm size after its first coloring
process. Ii Is then soft and excellent eat
ing. And so with backberries in like
manner, many complaining of their ex-
IRENE tartncss, when the fault was in
gathering imperfect fruit. The Lawton
or New-Rochele variety, in particular, Is
delicious eating, If allowed To remain on
the plant until soft when the slightest
touch will sever its hold. Strawberries
picked with the calyx Tor hulI adhering
will always carry better and he less liable
to decay than if carelcssly pulled off with
out this appendage. The foregoing re-
marks in relation to the proper time for
gathering fruits are equally applicable TO
the grape. These generally color long
before they are mature; andthus many a
neyice in fruit culture frequently forms
an unjust opinion of his varieties simply
from tasting unripe specimens. Grapes
should always be severed from the vine
with strong scissors or trimming shears,
and never twisted or broken on
The nice appearance of fruit of all kinds,
in their boxes or baskets. i'm the markets,
will command a better price than when
sloyenly done up.r