The Brinkley argus., 1916-05-12
III. HARVESTING FRUIT. ]. s. Knox, Extension Horticulturist,
 University of Arkansas.

]. ;. Knox, ,EXtenSlOn l1OTtlCultuTiSl,
 University of Arkansas.
 One of the most important ques- tions that comes to every fruit grower is, How can 1 harvest my crop oi fruit so that l can get the best possi ble price for it?" The answer to the question comes in knowing when 10 pick and how to pick and the best methods of grading and packing, then 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 q 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 ,orva, and herein Is deter mined largely the success
 In marketing the crop.
 When to Pick: How can 1 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. CD By the color of the fruit. When a 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. CD Ease of separation of fruit from the tree. If ready to pick the fruit will separate easily by a gentle side pres. sure or uplifting of the fruit. This is a very good method for all varieties (3) By color of the seed. This meth cd is often used for green colored va rieties-picking when the seed become real brown in color. (4) By flavor oi 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 peach in the hand and exerting a gentle pressure, If 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 green peach in one hand and one that is ready to pick in the other and exert about the same pressure on each Note the difference.
 For fruits like cherries, plums grapes and strawberries, color is per haps the chief factor in determining when they shall be picked.
 Pears arc generally picked rather green and allowed to ripen in the shade
 How to Pick. The best method o1 picking depends upon the kind of fruit to be picked and that method enables one to gather the fruit with the leas amount of labor and with the leas bruising or rough handling Is essen tially the best method. If trees arc teaded low and kept properly pruned the fruit will not be so high iron the ground, consequently the use O high ladders VIII be largely dispense with.
 The picking receptacle should be a! smooth as possible to prevent any bruising of the fruit, and if the recep tacle has a padding or burlap or simi lar material, 1t will help great dea here. Place the fruit in the receptacle gently. Avoid all rough handling a much as possible. In picking, try tt avoid the breaking off of fruit spurs.
 Grading: All frdit should be care fully graded before packing. Here fl one of the most essential points fo the fruit grower in Arkansas to ob serve. Too often 1t is the case tha the baskets are carried in the or chard and filled with the fruit just a 1t comes from the trees. Many times this last summer in my work in tn orchards of the state found this t be the case. These baskets are no repacked, but are placed i'll the car il that shape. There are few men HOWtFeIg WHO diC 6lduluB tutlI iIui and these men are the ones who get profit from the business. To be sur 1t is more expensive but the highe price received for the fruit far nor, than meets this extra expense. Then too, 1t is such a satisfaction to hay, things look attractive and know tha the buyer will be well pleased witl bis purchase.
 Packing: If you have fancy frui put it up In fancy package. It vii pay you as 1t has done thousand o growers in the Northwest. Appear ance sells thousands of bushels o fruit every year so make your frui look attractive by putting it in tn. standard box. These boxes must b, new and clean and if they are hnet with newspaper and each individua fruit Is wrapped in tissue paper it vii add a great deal to the appearance.