650 Journal of Agriculture. [10 Nov., 1908.. 



Advice as to Grading and Packing. 



Grading was generally satisfactory, but in some instances, apples of 

 different sizes were mixed. Strong stress is laid upon the necessity to 

 grade with the utmost care, as German bu\ers have naturally more coni- 

 ftdence in such lots as show all fruit of same size than in others with 

 different sized fruit. The circular suggests the follow'ing grades: — A. 

 for large, A.A. for medium, and A.A.A. for small fruit. Special fruit 

 might be marked "Special," but only in case the fruit really merits this 

 grading. It is stated that it is of no use whatever to pack two or three 

 boxes of special fruit, as only lots of some 10 to 20 boxes or more will" 

 yield satisfactory results. 



The use of more wood-wool — which should be clean, dustless, and 

 without smell — is advLsed in some cases, as during the voyage the apples 

 shrink to some extent ; if they are not packed firmly, they are liable to 

 be badly bruised. 



Shippers are advised to send bigger lots, of at least 20 boxes of each 

 grade and variety, as they always have a better chance. If lots are too- 

 small the leading buyers pay little attention to them, owing to the time 

 required to inspect so many samples. It is remarked that growers may 

 not always be in a position to pack large lots ; in such cases it is sug- 

 gested that neighbours should combine, and put fruit of even grade under 

 one brand. 



Broken Packing Cases. 



The attention of Victorian shippers is directed 10 the more or less- 

 broken condition in which many cases arrixe, especially when transhipped 

 via London. This is attributed to the nails in the case working loose. 

 To avoid this the nails should be put into salt water or vinegar, which 

 will cause the nails to grow rusty when in the wood, which makes them 

 hold better. This expedient is adopted in Spain and Italy. Rusty nails 

 are mostly used in Tasmania where the green hardwood is much harder 

 than the Victorian. 



Future Prospects of the German ISIarket. 



It is admitted that prices have not been up to expectations this year. 

 For really first-class fruit, prices alwavs were satisfactory, medium quali- 

 ties returned comparatively fair jprices, l)ut low prices only could be ob- 

 tained for inferior apples. 



" Our market has been influenced very much bv the London market 

 where low prices were ruling nearly all the time. Hamburg is the right 

 market for the verv best qualities of apples, which are sure to get higher 

 prices here than in any other market. For second-class and inferior stuff, 

 Hamburg cannot afford to pay better prires than English markets do." 



Note. — Mr. J. G. Turner, Senior Inspeotor, Fruit Exports and Imports, states that the shortajre from 

 Victoria was so great that there was very little prime fruit to fill sjiat'e which had been booked weeks 

 ahead ; hence tcrowers were compelled to send the best of a «enerally i>oor lot. Insi)ectors have no power 

 to refuse shipments of such fruit unless diseased or incorrectly described. 



Mr. Turner also states that the advice as tc the use of wood-wool should be accepted with caution. 

 The over fjenerous use of this material often leads to complaints that the case contains a short measure of 

 fruit— caused by the wood-wool takinsf up too much space. Cases containing' less than a full bushel of 

 fruit %re liable to rejection and seizure for false description. — Editor. 



