256 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



TOMATO CULTURE. 

 CHAPTER Xn. 



How TO Make Picking and Shipping Boxes. 



For ends, take good dressed pine lumber, Y^ inch thick and 8 inches wide. 

 Cut them so that the upper edge will be 9% inches long and the lower edge 

 7^ inches long. For sides, use lumber 8 inches wide and ^ inch thick. Cut 

 them so the upper edge will be 19 inches long and the bottom edge 17 inches 

 long. Cut bottom of same stuff slack 1 7 inches long. Nail together with wire 

 nails, medium fine, i ^ inches long. Nail on outside of box in centre a strong 

 basket handle, using ^ inch wire nails. These boxes will weigh three pounds 

 each and will hold half a bushel without heaping. They will last as long as five 

 of the common baskets and they cost but little more. They are better than 

 baskets, for shipping. If they are wanted for shipping make covers 8 inches 

 wide and -^^ inch thick, cut them off square 18^ inches long. Now take a 

 strip ^ inch square, cut off two pieces 7^ inches long, bevel them a little so 

 they will fit exactly just inside of the box, close to the ends. They should fit in 

 so the top surface will be flush with the sides and ends. The cover is to be 

 nailed on to these pieces with ^ inch wire nails driven through and clenched, 

 so that when the cover is put on, it will show the fruit ]/% of an inch on each 

 side. This space will also give all the ventilation required. The cover will be 

 one Y% of an inch shorter than the box at each end, so it will not catch in hand- 

 ling. If desirable to show the fruit more or have more ventilation, use four slats 

 ^ inch thick and i inch wide instead of the close cover ; nail them on so as to 

 leave all the spaces the same width. I have taken pains to enquire of all my 

 customers to whom I have shipped tomatoes in these boxes, as to their value 

 compared with baskets for shipping. All of them, without exception, declared 

 that the boxes were much better than baskets ; the fruit was not bruised, and it 

 came out in better condition. The reason why they carry better is that they 

 never spring in and out like baskets do when they are handled roughly (as they 

 are sure to be in transit), Again, the boxes are strong enough to be piled ten 

 high without any injury to the bottom ones. To fasten the cover down bore a 

 Y. inch hole through the cover inside the cleat, and another hole ^ of an inch 

 below the edge of the end, and wire the cover down with fine annealed wire. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



How TO Make Market Boxes. 



These are used for carrying tomatoes to market on a wagon. Dimensions 

 and description : End pieces 6 inches wide, ^ inch thick and 16^ inches long, 

 two side pieces 6 inches wide, Y% inch thick and 17)^ inches long. Nail those 



