. The American fruit culturist, containing directions for the propagation and culture of all fruits adapted to the United States. Fruit-culture. THINNING, GATHERING, KEEPING, MARKETING. 125 apples to slide out without danger of bruising. In this re- spect it is more perfect than a basket, the contents of which must be dropped, unless handed out one by one. The degree of maturity at which fruit should be picked varies with circumstances. Maturity is indicated in apples or pears by the dark-brown color of the seeds, but as these cannot be examined, external appearances must serve as a guide. Ear
. The American fruit culturist, containing directions for the propagation and culture of all fruits adapted to the United States. Fruit-culture. THINNING, GATHERING, KEEPING, MARKETING. 125 apples to slide out without danger of bruising. In this re- spect it is more perfect than a basket, the contents of which must be dropped, unless handed out one by one. The degree of maturity at which fruit should be picked varies with circumstances. Maturity is indicated in apples or pears by the dark-brown color of the seeds, but as these cannot be examined, external appearances must serve as a guide. Early ap- ples are best when they have at- tained full color, and have begun to soften, except such as are liable to become dry or mealy, which should be picked some days before fully ripe. Winter apples should be mature but not ripe. All late winter varieties should be gath- ered when too hard to yield to the pressure of the thumb, and always before heavy autumn frosts. "When a good keeper begins to drop from the tree, as sometimes happens, the crop should be gathered im- mediately. Windfalls should never be mixed with hand-picked fruit, as they have been bruised by falling, and often heated by the '^^^' sun's rays so as to diminish their keeping qualities. They should be assorted and reserved for immediate use. Maturity in pears is indicated by a slight change in the color of the skin, and by the readiness with which the stem separates from the tree when the pear is lifted by the hand. There are, how- ever, exceptions to" this rule—the Bartlett, for instance, may be picked even before it has attained full size, and, in a week or two, will ripen into a fine, melting texture and excellent flavor. Ripening summer pears in the dark much improves their appearance. A Bartlett, for instance, fully exposed to the sun and allowed to ripen on the tree, or in a well-lighted apartment, will show perhaps only a light-brown cheek; but, if in a dark drawer, the light-brown will bec
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectfruitculture, bookyea
