West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-10-24

II is quite certain that much is vet TO
be learned in orchard management TO
make it uniformly profitable. II thcrc
were any doubt ON this subject an obser-
vation OF the manner in which its pro-
ducts are often gathered and marketed
would bc sufficient TO dispel it. Many
defective apples, as well as better wind
falls that would make excellent vinegar
If put 20 that use are allowed TO waste
and rot. When cider is made too little
care is exercised in excluding decayed
fruit and also rs TO the time and manner
in which IL is made, so that the article
produced is not of the best and will not
command a remunerative price.
Again, in picking the fruit from the
trees, ladders are handled so roughly, OF
limbs shaken 10y clumsy or careless
climbers, that many of the best OF the
apples are Knocked off and bruised by
the fall. None hut the most careful
hands should be allowed TO gather the
fruit from the trees. IL ought TO bc re-
membered that an apple bruised in the
basket at the picking means rotten
apple in the barrel, causing not only It's
own loss, but an additional one, by in
ducing rot in others with which il comes
in contact.
A careful man ought also to do all the
barreling When full basket is re-
ceived an empty one should be handed TO
the picker, and the apples be lifted by
the hands out of the basket and care
fully laid, not dropped, into their places
m no 90,
down against the head that is TO be
taken out when tho barrel is opened for
sale or use. The others may he laid in
Unfortunately but carefully until the
barrel is full.
A gentle shaking is allowable, Just
enough to better settle the fruit in place,
then the head should depressed in by the
use OF an apple press. Just how much
pressure may he applied must be left 10
the judgment Of the operator, but it is
quite as likely 10 he too little as too much
At this stage n bruise from pressure of
the head will not cause rot as it would
were the pressure not still continued upon
It,, by which the germs Of decay seem 20
be prevented from entering the bruised
spot, as they would If it were more freely
exposed 20 the atmosphere. Whatever
may be the reason, it is quito we'll estab-
lished that pressure that prevents any
movement Of the apples when the pack
age is handled, even if IL occasions
bruises TO few, is necessary 90 good
Keeping when barreled.
While a selection of fair and slightly
apples is allowable and expected for the
head TO be shown 20 the buyer, these
should not be so much better than the
average RS 20 be disappointing when
examined lower down, but all should be
merchantable and up TO the standard that
is claimed for them. In packing apples
for sale il is advised 10 make first and
second qualities, and where there is q
portion Of unusually large fruit even a
third may be made TO advantage, for uni
formity in size adds much to the appear
ance. More money will be obtained foi
crop properly graded and each sold on
It's merits than if all were packed indis-
criminately without regard to size In
general, packing in the orchard at the
time Of the picking will be found the
best but circumstances alter cases 81
much that no fixed rule will apply alike
10 AL. Mem York WOrid.