236 MANUAL OF AMERICAN GRAPE-GROWING 



Grape packages in eastern grape regions. 



Packages for grapes are less varied than those for any other 

 fruit, selling receptacles in the states east of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains being much the same for all regions. Dessert grapes are 

 universally packed in gift packages — that is, packages which 

 are given away when the fruit is sold — and this insures a 

 clean dainty package. It seems imperative that a uniform 

 style of package should be used the country over for the general 

 market, but up until this time, although there have been both 

 national and state laws passed, uniformity has not been secured. 

 A national law is needed establishing standard commercial 

 packages so that the grower may safely ship from one state to 

 another without l)eing a law-lireaker. Such a package should 

 be based on cubic-measure and not on weight as is often ad- 

 vocated ; for grapes cannot be shipped without some loss from 



sampling in transit ; and there 

 are also losses in weight by 

 evaporation so that the 

 grower, although trying to 

 comply with the law, may 

 become technically a law- 

 breaker if the standard is 

 based on weight. 



The most popular package 

 for the grape in eastern 

 grape regions is the Climax 

 basket made in various styles 

 and sizes. These are cheap, 

 easily packed and handled, nest well in shipment and are 

 durable. Three sizes are commonest in use, the five-pound, the 

 ten-pound and the twenty-pound basket. The five-pound 

 basket usually holds only a little over four pounds; the ten- 

 pound about eight pounds; and the twenty-pound rather less 



Fig. 47. Climax baskets in two sizes 



