The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-09-27
GATHERING WINTER APPLES
Some Hints as to the Most Suitable
Time.

Time.
From the Bedford Inquirer.
This is the time Of the year when
many people are exercised as to what
course is best to pursue in regard to
gathering and caring for their wiater
apples
It is question of considerable im-
pOrtance 10 the farmers and fruit grow
ers Of our county. The crop Of winter
apples here is qnite considerable aud,
in view of the fact that there is only
about half crop Of winter apples in
the United States this year, they are
likely to command fair price and It
will be important to our people to save
every available bushel because of its
money value.
The best time for gathering winter
apples depends on circumstances. Some
varieties should always be gathered
earlier than Others, aud in some sea-
sons all varieties may need to be gath
cred earlier and in others later.
IfappIes are left on the trees too long
they get too ripe and will not keep
well, while if gathered too early they
are likely to wilt and TO never get their
fall flavor. Thus it will be seen that
each person must TO certain extent
use his own judgment in determining
the gathering time.
We have gathered Rambos as early
as the 18th Of September and had them
keep we'll until April and still be crisp
aud juicy.
As rule RambOs, Baldwins, ESalts,
SmOkehOuse, Bell Flower and Spy
should be gathered earlier than Ben
Davis, Imperial Pippin, Newtown Pip
pin, Rawle's Janet and such later
ripening varieties. Apples growing
on Northern slope will not ripen as
soon as those having a southern ex-
posure and can therefore be left longer
on the trees. As a rule the first named
varieties may be gathered as soon as they
begin to fall freely after the 18th Of
September, while the last named ones
may usually be left until the first of Oc-
tober OF even later.
All, however, should be gathered be-
fore they begin to ripen on the tree.
The true winter apple is not intended
TO ripen Oh the tree but to continue the
process Of ripening until late spring in
some varieties. From the day an apple
is ripe deterioration and decay begin.
1t is for this reason that we keep them
in a cool atmosphere thereby prolong-
ing the period of ripening.
a good rule IS to begin picking as
soon as any particular variety begins to
fall freely, but none should be left ex-
posed to series of heavy frosts, a it
will greatly hast, their ripening and
cause them to decay early in the season,
unless they can be kept in cold storage.
Some years all apples can safely be
stored in heaps under the trees until
they are sold or until there is danger Of
freezing. Other seasons apples gathered
before OF even after the first of October
will need to be stored in q cool room or
cellar, to keep them at a low temper
ature and prevent heavy loss by rot
ting after being gathered The charac
ter Of the weather must determine these
matters. In most cases the better plan
is to place the apples in heaps under
the shade Of the trees OF covered with
straw or other coarse material until
after they have passed the sweating
process and then, il the weather is
warm, transfer them promptly to q
cool cellar. Where special fruit houses
with open bins have been provided
they can be taken directly from the
trees as fast as gathered with very sat
isfaetOry results. Much must always
depend upon individual experience and
judgment in each special locality. No
iron bound rule can be given or taken
as safe guide, but by keeping in mind
the foregoing facts almost any one can
/ learn in a few seasons what are the best
methods as applied to his own orchard
and the variety Of fruit he grows If
one grows all Ben Davis, Imperial
/ Pippin or Rawle's Janet, he can gen.
orally let them hang on the trees until
/ October, and the increased size and i'm
proved color will generally make up
/ ALI the loss from falling. In some
localities the same rule will hold in re-
gard to Baldwins and kindred varie-
ties, but in most eases it will be found
safer and more profitable TO gather and
store them earlier. The above has been
written in response to inquiries from
quite number of persons, and in the
hope that it may aid many of our fruit
growing friends and patrons in making
the the most Of their apple crops
L.