l6o TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



ing progresses; heap the fruit a little and press in tlie head with a screw 

 or lever. Choice pears are sometimes sent to market wrapped singly in 

 tissue paper, a very good practice as I think. Some dealers in New Or- 

 leans prefer to have this fruit come to them packed in soft, dried grass. 

 Some such material must be used unless great care is taken in filling the 

 boxes or barrels so that the fruit can not become loosened by the rough 

 handling it is likely to be subjected to in the course of its ti'ansportation 

 to market. 



Apples. — Apples, except the veiy earliest, are invariably sent to 

 market in barrels, holding from two and a half to three bushels each. 

 The bottom is first covered with a course or two laid in, one at a time, 

 w^ith the stems down. The barrel is then filled by pouring in from a 

 basket that can be let down and emptied inside, so as to prevent bruising, 

 shaking well as the filling progresses. The fruit is heaped up as high 

 as the top of the chine, the top laid on, and, by the use of a follower 

 and lever or screw, pressed into its place. The name of the fruit should 

 be plainly marked on the bottajJi^i which is the end that should be opened 

 when oflTered for sale. 



Grapes. — Grapes are usually sent to market in light boxes holding 

 from three to ten pounds. The fruit should be spread out in the sun 

 for a few hours, or until the stems have wilted and become limp and 

 yielding. The bunches are then laid in the box as carefully and tastefully 

 as possible, filling up imtil the top will go on with some pressing. Mark 

 the name of the variety on the bottoiti., which, when in market, becomes 

 the top. These boxes are packed in crates of convenient size. 



In marketing all fruits, clean, new packages should be used. After 

 this, the essential things to be attended to, as appears from what has 

 been said before, are careful assorting and close packing. The more 

 tastefully the fruit is arranged the better — appearances go a great way 

 in everything, and especially in the sale of fruit. 



M. L, DuNLAP thought that the subjects treated in this pajDer are 

 very important, not only to the producer, but to the consumer. Fruits 

 can not be well packed and reach the market in such condition as to 

 secure the best price, unless they are properly picked and handled. 

 Strawberries and cheiTies should be picked with their stems left on, to 

 prevent too close pressui'e in the boxes, and consequent mold and 

 decay. 



These and other fruits could be picked and taken to market, riper than 

 they usually are, if proper care were taken in picking and packing. It 

 will pay well to pick carefully and pack well. Careful pickers should 

 be paid more per box than careless ones. Purchasers may know whether 

 the fruit has been well picked and packed. If it has been, the boxes will 

 be full, othei"wise not. 



Dr. Spalding — The writer recommends exposing grapes to the sun 

 a short time after picking before packing. The practice of grape-growers 

 in the vicinity of .St. Louis differs from this. 



We take our packages into the vineyard and pick very carefully, 



