Fruit-Gathering
This cannot be too carefully performed to avoid bruising, especially with those fruits having a tender skin. Dry weather should be selected at all times for the operation outside, and only such gathered as are at the proper stage. It sometimes becomes necessary, at the expense, however, of quality, to select Peaches and similar fruits several days before they are fully matured, to admit of packing and transmitting them to a distance. It is important, in gathering these, that the necessary pressure be equally applied by the whole of the fingers, and the fruits carefully placed bottom downwards on some soft material, in a shallow tray or basket. Nothing is more quickly bruised, or shows its consequent effect by decay, than thin-skinned ripe fruits. Those grown under glass are even more susceptible to injury in this way than hardier ones from outside. The keeping properties of Apples, Pears, and similar fruits, depend a great deal on careful gathering at the proper time, and subsequent storing; an indication of the time is generally known by some of the fruit falling off, and by the condition of the pips. Fruit-gathering is always best performed by two persons, one to carry a proper basket, and the other to collect and place the fruit in it.