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. FRUIT PROTECTORS. In the northern and other parts of the country, where Apricots, Peaches, &c., do not succeed in the open air, on account of the annual destruction of the flowers by frost, an erection of a glass protector above them may frequently be found of great value. The framework should be fixed on stout brackets, and glazed on a system that admits of the glass being removed in summer to allow rain and plenty of air to get to the trees. Netting, frigidomo, or other coverings, may be suspended from the front of the glass Protector, in the direction shown by the dotted line. a portable Plant and fruit Protector is usually a very useful structure for growing any dwarf subjects in summer, and for storing plants, such as Strawberries, in winter.