my apples by hand; using
step-ladders for the lower limbs, and longer ladders, wide at the bottom
and very narrow at the top, for the upper limbs. While picking in the
inside of a tree, I use a half-bushel sack made to hang on a limb, and
so arranged that it can be let to the ground and emptied without getting
out of the tree. I make three grades of my apples: First, good size,
smooth, free from worms, and good calyx; second, apples under size, a
little specked and wormy; third, culls. I have been sorting from the
pile, but think I shall use a table made with the back end the higher,
and the top made of heavy canvas without end, and passing over rollers
at each end, so the apples can be brought in reach without handling
them; then I would arrange my barrels so that the apples can be placed
in them without bruising. I prefer the three-bushel barrel to ship in;
but for handling I want a one-bushel box with handholes in the ends. I
would pack the barrels as tight as possible, and then mark the name of
variety, grade and name of grower on it. I would ship them by fast
freight or express.

Sometimes I sell in the orchard. I have generally sold by retail and
peddled, as I have a good set of customers. I can do as well to sell
direct to the consumer as to sell at wholesale. I sell second grade to
any one that will buy. I feed the culls to cattle and hogs, and let the
hens have all they want. I have had a market near home for all I have
grown; may have to look further when all my trees bear. I have not tried
distant markets. What I have tried took all the profits. I do not think
it pays to dry apples, unless on an extensive scale. I store my apples
for winter market in a dry cellar. I pack in both barrels and boxes
while in the cellar; prefer boxes, as they are easier to handle and sort
from. I have not been as successful as I would like, but think I have
done as well as many apple-growers have with the number of trees I have.
The Ben Davis, Winesap and Janet have kept the best for me. I have not
tried artificial cold storage. If apples are held any length of time, I
repack, so as to be sure they are up to grade. I do not lose over two
per cent. In the fall apples sold at about thirty cents per bushel, and
through the winter fifty to eighty cents per bushel. I employ careful
men to pick and handle my fruit. I pay from fifteen dollars to eighteen
dollars a month and board.

* * * * *

S. REYNOLD