36 AGRICULTURE 0? MAINE. 



commission are taken out, the results are very unsatisfactory to 

 the grower and the barrel is decidedly the better package. 



Again, suppose the apples are of very fair quality, but are of 

 various sizes, some selling at ic and some at 5c. The grower 

 will not realize much more than he would in the previous case 

 on the box, and again the barrel is superior and more satisfac- 

 tory, because of the smaller cost of handling. 



But suppose the fruit has been carefully graded as to size 

 and perfection, so that the price is 5c each to the consumer. 

 Here the box is worth from $5-$6 and should net the grower 

 at least $3 or $9 for three boxes Now. in some cases barrels 

 net the grower as much as $9, but more often $4-$6 is nearer 

 the mark. 



When a grower puts such a grade on the market, he estab- 

 lishes a reputation for himself and in a few years can dispose 

 of his fruit f. o. b. at a high figure. This may sound like the- 

 ory and fairy tale and might end with the words, '^^nd he lived 

 happily ever after," but it has proven to be true in too many 

 cases to deny. 



Mr. Marshall of Fitchburg disposed of his crop of fancy 

 Mcintosh this year at $3.25 per box f. o. b., simply because his 

 fruit was very carefully graded and packed. What he has 

 done others can do and many in this State are doing the same 

 thing. In this case the box is easily the better package. 



All boxed fruit should be wrapped. The paper not only pre- 

 vents the spread of decay, but also keeps the fruit from slipping 

 and sliding during transportation, insuring a neater and more 

 attractive appearance upon opening. When a man becomes 

 familiar with wrapping, the box can be packed just as rapidly 

 and often more so as there is less slipping after the tier is 

 nearly completed, the paper holding the fruit firmly in place. 



It is not the custom to wrap the barrel fruit in paper because 

 of the great expense, consequently it will not reach the market 

 in as good condition ; this is especially true of such varieties 

 as the Mcintosh and Jonathan which bruise very easily. 



That the poor condition of the fruit on arrival is due, partial- 

 ly at least, to the manner of packing was clearly seen at the 

 Boston Fruit Show. Fruit of the same quality and size was 

 received in both good and bad condition even when shipped by 

 the same methods and equal distances. On inspecting the pack, 



