STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. l6l 



handling as little as is possible in taking out all imperfect berries, placing 

 the bunches directly in the boxes. Tiiis is done to preserve the bloom 

 as much as possible, as the bloom gives |he fruit an attractive appearance 

 when oflered for sale, and fruit upon which it is well preserved commands 

 a higlier price than that from which it has been removed in handling. 

 When the boxes, or other packages are a little more than full, we set 

 them in the shade for a few hours, or a day, to shrink a little before 

 fiistening them up. 



We ha\-e no package for grapes which exactU' meets our wishes — 

 are looking for something better — we use boxes of diflcrent sizes, and 

 baskets. 



Mr. Bliss said it was his custom to put apples in heaps to let 

 them sweat before putting into tight barrels for winter. If put in directly 

 from the tree, they would not keep as well. Mellow or ripe apples ^\ ill 

 not bear much pressing, when heading up the barrels, for if bruised they 

 will decay. 



Mr. Spaldixg — For home use we pack our grapes in boxes with 

 alternate layers of papers, renewing the packing after a time. 



Mr. Nolan, of Benton Harbor, Mich., said that he wanted steps 

 taken to secure the regulation of the size of a peach box or basket, by 

 act of the Legislature of this State. 



Chicago is the market for nearly all their fruit, and there is found 

 such a difference in the size of packages that it is not possible often to 

 get the honest value of a full one-third bushel basket or box of fruit. He 

 offered the following resolution : 



J^csolvcd, That in the opinion of this Society, the size of a peach box or basket 

 should be regulated by law, and that we recommend that the size of such package 

 shall be one-third of a bushel. 



TiiK President thought it more difficult to establish uniformity in 

 size, than to provide for the the sale of fruits by weight. 



M. L. Dun LAP offered the following as a substitute for Mr. Nolan's 

 resolution, viz : 



Resolved, That this Society memorialize the General Assembly ,of this State 

 to pass laws providing for the sale by weight, of all horticultural products hitherto 

 sold by measure, 



which was supported. 



Prof. Turner moved an amendment to the effect, " that this subject 

 be committed to a committee, to consist of President Flagg and two 

 other members who shall take tlie matter under advisement and lay it 

 before the next General Assembly." 



Mr. Earle was opposed to the resolution of Mr. Nolan, and in favor 

 of the substitute of Mr. Dunlap. He could not consent to place this 

 whole matter in the hands of a committee without first knowing their 

 views respecting it. He regarded it as a matter of great iinportance, 

 which should have an earnest expression from this Society. 



The President had examined this matter caiefuUy. A reform is 

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