Winter Meeting. 213 



'<S. 



picked, wrapped in the orchard if possible, just as you gather them. Oft- 

 times we have to select, after they are gathered from the piles in the 

 orchard, or from the packing sheds, or from the wagons as they are 

 hauled into the towns or to the packing sheds, but you may be sure 

 this is not the ideal way. 



We shall want from one peck to six barrels of a variety. 



I realize, more fully than any of you, that this is about the worst 

 year we have ever had to make such a selection of winter apples as we 

 know we are capable of making, and therefore it will take the most 

 extraordinary effort to secure a creditable exhibit. 



Barrels are the best packages, and can in most cases be secured ; 

 but whenever you cannot get these, then use cracker boxes or other 

 boxes holding about one bushel. If using boxes they should be well 

 lined with a number of thicknesses of old newspapers before packing. 



Select, as above directed, smooth, typical, well colored, ripe, sound, 

 firm, and as near perfect specimens as possible, leaving the stem and 

 calyx adherent. Wrap them at once in tissue paper and then in wax 

 paper, and they can be handled easily or carried to the barrels or hauled 

 to the packing sheds in baskets or boxes, where they can be packed in 

 barrels. Barrels or boxes should be lined with paper and some paper 

 or excelsior put in the bottom of the barrel, if possible, and then these 

 wrapped apples packed close together in layers in the barrels or boxes. 

 Every time that two or three layers are put in, the barrel should be 

 well shaken, holding the hand upon the apples so that they will not lose 

 their places. This shaking process is very important to get the apples 

 closely together and well settled. Fill the barrel even to the chime, 

 and then put on some two or three inches of excelsior or old papers 

 before pressing in the head. If thus properly packed there will be no 

 bruised apples, and every apple will do to go on the table when opened. 



Too much stress cannot be laid upon this proper packing, for too 

 many times we find the best of fruit ruined because of poor packing. 

 When you do find some good fruit, see to it that it is packed well so 

 it will not shake in the barrel after being hauled to the station or loaded 

 into the car. 



After thus packing put the name of the grower, the packer, the 

 county, the postoffice and the variety on the barrel or box, so there will 

 be no danger of losing the record. 



We shall want i,ooo barrels of these fine apples for our display next 

 year, and these directions are thus explicit, so that there can be no mis- 

 take about packing them. 



Shipping. — As soon as all the apples at any one place be gathered. 



