No. 6. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 631 



age shall be snug and firm. Evei-y apple should rest tightly against 

 each adjoining apple. This is secured in the barrel by jarring and 

 by the use of the press ; in the box the elasticity of the sides serves to 

 keep the fruit firm. Failure to observe this results in bruises and 

 in a slack pack. The other requirement is a pleasing finish. The 

 buyer's first test is the test of the eye. If this results unfavorably 

 (and the question is soon decided), no further test is made. Our il- 

 lustiation shows two baskets of tomatoes graded alike. Careful ar- 

 rangement of the surface of the one basket adds to it attractiveness 

 and to its salability. Nor does it increase the cost a half a cent. A 

 tomato is as easily laid in place as out. 



Thus we have raised the whole question of facing. The baskets 

 of tomatoes Avhich are shown in our illustration are both honestly 

 packed, for the fruits that appear on the top are true samples of the 

 entire contents of the package. Presentation of goods in attractive 

 form is not a misrepresentation. In fact, the grower of asparagus 

 who brings his product to the city un trimmed, irregularly bunched, 

 and tied with untidy twine, is doing himself injustice. Such a pro- 

 duct in Ithaca last year brought lower prices than the California 

 asparagus, although the former was of higher quality. The West- 

 erners had observed all the details of good preparation for sale, 

 and had gone so far as to enclose each bunch in an attractive litho- 

 graphed wrapper. 



Turning from mere facing for a neat finish, we may glace at 

 the other extreme, as illustrated in a practice that has grown up 

 among the orchardists of some sections. As the barrel is being 

 packed, very fine specimens are placed on the bottom. A metal 

 stovepipe of perhaps ten or twelve-inch diameter is then set within, 

 and is surrounded by very good fruit, while the interior is filled with 

 culls. The stovepipe is lifted out, and the barrel is finislied with 

 good fruit. It was a wise (?) farmer who evolved such a scheme 

 as this. We are all agreed as to the rank dishonestly of such a prac- 

 tice. 



Having agreed upon our extremes, it might be well for us to 

 describe the ordinary practice as a starting point. As the apples 

 come to the grading table, a sufficient number of the very finest are 

 selected out to make the upjier layer. These are placed in the head 

 of the barrel, neatly arianged. Upon these are placed perhaps half 

 a bushel of specimens that are considerably better than average. 

 Care is taken that a brightly colored cheek is opposite each opening 

 in the top layer. The rest of the barrel is filled with fruit that is 

 just barely within the legal requirement for the grade. Double facing 

 is occasionally practiced. 



What is to be the attitude of the good grower — the nran who 

 thinks — the man who does things for reasons better than "It was 

 always thus?"' Irr the first place, we cannot disrrriss the method just 

 described without a hearing. Many good growers use it, men who 

 have given the matter careful thought. While the practice cer- 

 tainly originated in the desire to deceive, these men have dismissed 

 the moral question, the question of honesty, because the buyer un- 

 derstands fully the plan of packing, and there is absolutely no mis- 

 representation so far as he is concerned. Two chief reasons are given 

 for its use. First. "The trade demands it," and second, "A barrel 

 on the open market is considered as containing fruit averaging about 



