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From The
American Agriculturist, 1866
Mr. G. B. Green, Hudson, N.Y., finding hand picking too slow, and
wishing to avoid the stones and dirt that will be mixed with
apples when gathered from the ground, contrived the device shown
in the engraving. It consists of a spread made of stout burlap, 20
feet square, bound on the edges. In the center is a hole large
enough to encircle the tree, and provided with a drawing ~tring to
fasten it to the trunk. From this hole is an opening to one side
of the spread, to allow it to be put around the tree, and the
opening is afterwards laced up by means of a string running
through eyelet holes. In each of the corners of the spread a
strong eyelet hole is worked-or what is better, an iron eye may be
inserted. The spread being placed around the tree, three of the
corners are raised up and stretched out by means of slender poles,
in such a manner, that the corner without a pole will be the
lowest. Under this corner is placed a barrel, or wagon if the tree
be a tall one. The apples are shaken down on to the sheet, and
roll towards the lower corner, where they are caught.
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