PACKING AND MARKETING THE PEACH 



A. G. Gl'LLEY 

 Professor of Horticulture, Connecticut Agricultural College, Storrs, Conn. 



^tfSWfe^ Our methods of marketing are only ap- 



plicable to conditions similar to our own, 

 which can he found in many places in 

 southern Xew England and probably in 

 other sections in the east, where producer 

 and consumer are near each other. In 

 this section two manufacturing centers 

 are within easy carrying distance, one of 

 which is much larger and somewhat 

 farther away, while several small plants 

 having many consumers are very convenient. These are all 

 largely dependent on outside producers, and in a section capable 

 of growing the fruit. 



PROPER GROWTH MOST IMPORTANT 



Tn preparing to supply this demand a somewhat different make 

 up of orchard planting was necessary, from that of the larger 

 shippers. The several extensive peach growers of the state expect 

 to harvest the bulk of their crop within two weeks. We have 

 found it profitable to extend the season greatly, and try to have 

 a regular succession for at least eight weeks, but of course a much 

 heavier production near the midseason of the crop. We soon dis- 

 covered also that a large share of the labor of grading and pack- 

 ing could, and should be done before the fruit was picked. This 

 work is much reduced if the fruit is all of even and fair size, good 

 color, and free from blemishes, and in recent years we have given 

 much more attention to having a good grade of fruit to harvest. 

 Special stress has been laid on thinning, not only getting rid of 

 small fruit, but having that grown of even as well as of good size. 

 In packing we have not graded beyond two sizes, and in some 

 varieties only one that was sent to market. We have laid great 

 stress 011 having the fruit of even color, and as the market was 

 near have allowed the fruit to ripen well. We find the matter of 

 color fully as important as size. 



[1116] 



