SMALL FRUITS. 309 
As the rows of fruit are reached each couple takes a row, one on each 
side. When the six-box carrier is filled the picker calls his or her num- 
ber, ‘‘52” or ‘‘56,” as the case may be. One of the menin attendance takes 
the case, delivers at packing room, fills with new boxes, and returns with 
check for the amount, providing the work has been well done. 
These checks are all numbered and bound in books, and like bank 
checks are used but once. They cost but ten cents per thousand boxes, 
and being numbered we can tell every day, or any day in the season, how 
many bexes have been picked, and as boxes brought in must agree with 
checks issued, neither picker nor attendant can deceive you. Each picker 
having a recorded number, and this same number being on the carriers 
brought in for examination and packing, you can always tell who is doing 
good work, and who not; returning word to the careless picker, ‘‘boxes 
must be filled better,” ‘‘too many green berries,” etc., etc. 
PACKING FRUIT 
is comparatively easy, provided the picking has been well done, and the 
packer is himself honest. The fruit grower must be prepared to handle 
his fruit promptly, and know just what to do with it. All boxes and 
cases must, he prepared beforehand, and help engaged, for there should be 
no delay. Your boxes and cases should be well made, clean and neat, 
without stain or dirt. By all means use a stapling machine for making 
the boxes, instead of tacks. It is much cheaper and better. Let your 
boxes be well filled, and don’t put poor fruit in the bottom. Select out 
all imperfect, soft or green fruit and throw it away. Always give good, 
honest measure, and a uniform quality throughout the box. Whether 
prices be high or low, the purchaser rich or poor, make it a rule never to 
market poor fruit, and your reputation in a few seasons will be worth 
many times the value of all poor fruit lost. 
FRUIT FOR LONG SHIPMENT 
should be picked before fully ripe, and not when wet with rain. If 
the weather is hot, leave in a cool place for some time before packing in 
cases and shipping. Cases should be neatly directed on both ends, and 
your own stencil on the sides. Having long shipments to market, it is im- 
perative that onlysuch varieties be grown as will reach their destination 
in good order. Ship fruit on commission only to responsible parties in 
large cities; ship to small places only on regular orders and at agreed prices. 
Having found a good house, ship to no other in that city. It is important 
that every fruit grower should thoroughly understand the following facts: 
That choice fruit is always in demand at good prices, and the market 
never overstocked. 
That poor fruit never sells well, brings low prices,and the market is 
easily overstocked. 
That it costs as much to raise poor fruit; that it costs more to pick poor 
fruit; that it costs as much to box and case poor fruit; that freight and ex- 
press chargesare just as high on poor fruit; and when sold it is after good 
fruit is gone, and then at half price. 
This being the case, the intelligent fruit grower will understand, at 
once, that in selecting varieties, in choosing locations, in preparing the 
soil, in selecting the plants, in hoeing, in mulching, in trimming, in 
picking and in packing he is performing an important part in the busi- 
ness management of small fruits. 
’ 
