Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1875 — Harvesting Apples. [ARTICLE]

Harvesting Apples.

Experience alone must servlf as a guide to the orchardist as to the proper time for harvesting fruit. We can only give this general direction: Gather the truit when fully grown, or at the time when it has received the greatest nourishment from the tree. Ladders of different lengths, also stands, are employed for this purpose. * * * TUe-windfalls should first be gathered and converted into cider, or at least kept entirely separate from the remaining fruit. Pick by hand, select and pack with great care, so as to obviate bruising the fruit. In assorting make two qualities for market and a third for cider or for Swine. Pack in new or clean barrels. Pack one kind only in the same barrel or box; also let the apples be of as uniform size and appearance as may be. The upper layer of apples should protrude somewhat above the chine, and be brought down and headed under pressure. Emplov for this purpose a clamp, either patent or home-made. Some operate with a screw, others with a lever. The latter is veiy simple, and may be easily constructed. For shipping the pressure system is particularly desirable, as it retains each appie in its place, and hence prevents it being rattled about and bruised. The fruit being barreled should remain in open sheds till the approach of cold weather. Keep as cool as possible without freezing before removing to the. cellar.— Maine Powudogical Keport. Never lend money to a genius.