GATHERING, PACKING, MARKETING 73 



for market it should not be quite ripe. Early morning 

 when the fruit is cool is the best time. Dessert fruits 

 generally should be handled as little as possible, other- 

 wise the bloom on them and the appearance are spoilt. 

 Plums are often sent away in round baskets, or oblong flat 

 baskets. The former in the London markets are termed 

 sieves or half-sieves. A sieve holds seven imperial 

 gallons; the diameter is 15 inches, the depth 8 inches. 

 Flat baskets with lids protect the fruit from injury. 

 Stout and strong paper, above, below and around, assist 

 in saving it. Oblong baskets with handles and without 

 a lid are used in the Midlands and the N. They are 

 called " pots," and local inquiry as to weight should be 

 made. Strong brown paper is useful on the top. The 

 cost per ream is from los. to 2os. But non-returnable 

 boxes are better. The baskets are often missing or 

 lost. The sizes of unplaned boxes with lids to be 

 nailed on are usually as follows : l 



Gross. Doz. 



Ibs. Length. Width. Depth. s. d. s. d. 



14 lof in. 10 J in. 6J in. 26 6 26 



28 22 ,, lof 6 46 O 42 



42 27 15 8 84 o 7 6 



GLOVER. 



Choice dessert plums sent in light boxes (one or two 

 layers only in a box) placed in wood-wool, and with 

 tissue paper covering the inside of the box, and lying 

 between each layer, often sell well. White paper-lace 

 (such as is used for honey sections) sets off good fruit, 

 and makes it more attractive. Pink tissue paper is often 

 used for light fruits. The boxes should be uniform 

 in size and quality of fruit as far as possible. Tissue 

 paper can be bought at 2s. 6d. to 53. or more a ream, 

 and should not be grudged. The best wood-wool 



1 From Watson, vol. v. p. 369. 



