The Harrison times., 1916-02-12
III. HARVESTING FRUIT.
j. S. Knox, Extension HorticulturisI,
University OF Arkansas.

OHs OA lHe most important QueS-
tions that comes to every fruit grower
is, How can I harvest my crop or
fruit so that | can get the best posi-
BILE price for it," The answer to the
question comes in knowing when 10
pick and how 10 pick and the best
methods OF grading and packing, thea
using these methods. One can use the
most up-tO-date methods OF growing
fruit, and may have the most perfect
fruit possible and still fail to get 4
good price for the fruit if he falls
down on the above factors. Putting
any and every kind and grade of fruit
upon the market soon causes a glut
on the market, and herein is deter
mined largely the success or failure
in marketing the crop.
When to Pick: How can | know
when my fruit is ready to pick is a
question that comes to every young
or inexperienced Orchardist. The an
swer TO the above question can be
found in one or more OF the following
ways for apples % By the color OF
! the fruit. When fruit becomes about
the characteristic color for that va.
riety it is generally, though not al.
ways, ready to pick. Varieties like
Gano, Arkansas Black or Black Twig
can be judged by color largely. (2)
Ease Of separation OF fruit from the
tree. IL ready to pick the fruit will
separate easily by gentle side pres
sure or uplifting OF the fruit This is
very good method for all varieties
| CD BY color of the seed. This meth
cd is often used for green colored va
Neties-picking when the seed become
real brown in color. (4) BY flavor OF
the fruit. When a fruit develops the
flavor that is characteristic for that
variety. it is ready to pick.
With peaches the color and springi-
ness OF the fruit is the principal guide
for picking. BY taking a peach in the
hand and eXerting a gentle pressure,
| II ready to pick. there will be de.
| cided springy feel. You will observe
! that green peach is firm and does
| not possess this characteristic feel
Take a green peach in one hand and
one that ia ready to pick in the other
and exert about the same pressure on
each. Note the difference.
For fruits like cherries, plums,
grapes and straw berries. color is per,
haps the chief factor in determining
when they shall be picked
Pears are generally picked rather
green and allowed to ripen In the
shade.
How to Pick. The best method OF
picking depends upon the kind of fruit
to be picked and that method enables
one to gather the fruit with the least
amount OF labor and with the least
bruising or rough handling is esseh,
TALLY the best method II trees are
headed low and kept properly pruned,
the fruit will not be so high from
the ground, consequently the use OF
high ladders will be largely dispensed
with
The picking receptacle should be as
smooth az possible to prevent any
bruising of the fruit, and if the recep.
tacle has a padding or burlap or simi,
Iur iaI ,.il an1
here Place the fruit in the receptacle
geutly. Avoid all rough handling a.
much s possible. In picking, try to
avoid the breaking off of fruit spurs.
Grading; All fruit should be care
fully graded before packing. Here is
one af the most essential points for
the fruit grower in Arkansas to oh
serve. TOO often it is the case that
the baskets are carried in the or
chard and filed with the fruit just as
II comes from the trees. Many times
this last summer in my work in the
orchards OF the state | found this t0
he the case These baskets are not
TPpdVkru, OUT blN plSNtu III tHt N"I III
that shape. There are a few men
however, who are grading their fruit
and these men are the ones who get a
profit from the business. TO be sure
1t is more expensive but the higher
price received for the fruit far more
than meets this extra expense, Then
too, II is such n satisfaction to have
things look attractive and know that
the buyer will be well pleased with
his purchase.
Packing; II you have fancy fruit
put it up in fancy package. II viii
pay you as II has done thousand Of
growers in the Northwest Appear,
ance sells thousands OF bushels OF
fruit every year so make your fruit
look attractive by putting II in the
standard box These boxes must be
new and clean and II they are lined
with newspaper and each individual
J fruit is wrapped IN tissue paper II win
add a great deal to the appearance,