174 Strawberry-Growing 



berries in the package approximately uniform in size, 

 color and freedom from defects ; topping may be merely 

 placing a few choice berries on top of a box of inferior 

 berries in an attempt to deceive the buyer. The deacon- 

 ing or topping of strawberries has been as common as the 

 over-facing of apples. At one time Florida growers used 

 Hoffman to face boxes of Newman; many crates have 

 been sent to market with Crescent on the bottom and 

 Bubach on top. Growers who place the best baskets on 

 the top of the crate and all the best berries on the top of 

 the box overreach themselves. The standard in packing 

 is rising constantly, not only as a matter of moral convic- 

 tion, but also as a matter of policy. Dominion, provin- 

 cial, federal, state and municipal regulations are exerting 

 pressure in this direction. 



Field grading. 



In Florida, the Gulf states, the Ozark district and the 

 Pacific Northwest, most of the output is graded at the 

 packing shed ; elsewhere, mostly in the field by the 

 pickers. Field grading is more economical than shed 

 grading, provided the pickers can be trained to do it 

 properly. After they have become accustomed to it, 

 they will pick and grade nearly as many quarts a day 

 as if all berries went into the same box. The fruit is 

 handled less; every time berries are touched they are 

 hurt for shipment. The berries are shaken down tightly 

 by the picker in moving the carrier about; if they are 

 sorted at the shed, they may be left in the boxes rather 

 loose and will settle on the way to market, unless tightly 

 faced. Field grading makes it possible to put the berries 

 in a cool place very soon after they are picked. 



Rarely is it practicable to make more than two grades 



