178 Strawberry-Growing 



much time, and injures the shipping qualities of the 

 berries; mulching is cheaper and equally effective. 



PACKING 



Berries are packed by the sorter, but sometimes the 

 facing is done by another person. The box is filled nearly 

 full with uniform berries and is tapped or shaken several 

 times to settle them. After it is about half full, the berries 

 are placed stems down so that the top layer will be level 

 for the facers. Fill the boxes solidly, especially at the 

 corners, or they will settle and be short weight. Only 

 the facing layer is aligned. 



Facing. 



The object of facing, or " plating," is not to put all the 

 best berries on top, but to make the box present an attrac- 

 tive appearance and to pack the berries so they will not 

 be shaken in transit. Facing is essential if the berries 

 are to be shipped a long distance; it is desirable even 

 when they are to be sold in a near market. Boxes are 

 faced by packing the berries in the top layer tightly to- 

 gether. Round-conic berries, like the Clark and Aroma, 

 are faced point up; this makes an attractive plate pro- 

 vided the tips do not remain green. Long berries, like 

 the Haverland, are faced on the side, with all stems ly- 

 ing in one direction. Never face with stems up, as the 

 hulls hide the berries. Varieties that have attractive 

 green hulls should be placed on the side, as these add to 

 the appearance of the face. Do not press the berries; 

 simply lay them in snugly. The facing layer should be 

 not over three-eighths of an inch above the top of the box, 

 since boxes properly packed do not settle much. Any 



