296 AGRICULTURE 



Bad packing I fear there is one main answer which 

 applies generally, and that is, the produce 

 has been picked and packed so badly, 

 that the prices it commands are of the 

 lowest, and not sufficient to pay for 

 even the small amount of inferior labour 

 expended. 



old methods Let us try to picture the methods which 

 have prevailed and still do prevail in country 

 districts which have not been enlightened 

 by, or else refuse to listen to, the County 

 Council Instructor. Perhaps it is the season 

 for soft fruit picking, red or black currants 

 for instance. They are picked into any dirty 

 baskets or boxes which have been lying about 

 all the season, then shaken all together into 

 another odd sieve large enough to take the 

 whole quantity. Perhaps some dirty news- 

 paper lines the sides of the basket, perhaps 

 hot. It is almost certain to be put over the 

 top with some leaves, and secured by withes. 

 Then the local carrier calls the next day, or 

 the one after, and takes them into the nearest 



