8 Feb.. 1908.] 



Packing Fruit for Export. 



Packing. — Wrap each fruit in tissue-paper cut to cover each apple or 

 pear thorough 1\. A ream of this paper cut to 10 x 10 inches will do about 

 22 cases. Tilt one end of the case slightl\ up while packing. Each case 

 should be lined with clean white paper, not printed newspaper ; place a 

 little padding (paper shavings or " wood-wool ") at bottom, and proceed 

 to pack by laying the fruit in rows lengthwavs firmly, but not so tightlv 

 as to bruise. Some experts pack without using anv padding. This means, 

 of course, more fruit per case, and, perhaps, a shade better price. The 

 less padding the better, from a buyer's point of view. Keep e\erv la\er 

 and row uniform in size through the case. When the case is filled the 

 fruit should project slightly above the top of the case. Put a folded 

 chaff -bag, or, better still, a padded board, on top of the fruit, then 

 " dump " it gently. If you use a chaff-bag, or bran-bag, put a wide lid 

 or board over it to hold the fruit down while dumping. This will cause 

 the fruit to settle. Cover with paper-shavings or wood-wool, fold the 

 ends of the paper lining down over the padding, and nail up with about 

 four nails at each end of lid. 



STANDARD EXPORT CASES, SHOWING FRUIT PACKED WITHOUT LINING. 



Pears in travs must be packed sufficiently tight to preclude any possi- 

 bility of their rolling about, and it must be also observed that the stalk 

 of each pear does not injure its neightour. Grapes are somewhat difficult 

 to pack, as the cork-dust has to be well sifted down in between the 

 individual grapes. Experience will teach exactly how to do this. Pears 

 and grapes are not such reliable carriers as apples, but some excellent 

 results have been gained. It is generally conceded that some more scientific 

 method of carriage or preservation will have to be discovered before a large 

 export trade can be done with these and other delicate fruits. 



Cases and P>randing. 



Cases. — The size of the cases used for the export of fruit is regulated 

 by the Victorian Fruit Cases Act. This Act demands that the standard 

 export case shall measure t8 x 14 x %\ inches (inside measurement) and 

 shall have no inside partition. A case of this size will contain an imperial 



