67 



in Australia with this material have also given satisfactory results. 

 Though, as a matter of course, less care is required in sending fruit to 

 colonial markets, yet growers should always pack well and neatly. 

 Apples, Pears, Quinces, Peaches, Apricots, Oranges or Lemons should 

 be packed so that each case will contain fruit that is uniform in variety, 

 size and colour. The fruit should also be packed firm, so that it will 

 get to market in the best possible condition. Cherries should be packecT 

 closely in small cases containing from 10 to 12 Ibs. each. Strawberries 

 will reach the consumer in the best possible condition if packed in small 

 boxes or baskets containing about 1 or 2 Ib. each. These may be packed 

 again into larger cases that will hold from one to three dozen of the smaller 

 ones, arranged in close layerd. If wanted for preserving, boxes holding 

 from 10 to 12 Ibs. may be used. Raspberries must be packed carefully 

 in 1 or 2 Ib. boxes, if required as dessert fruit. For preserving, the 

 fruit must necessarily be sent away in buckets or casks, according to 

 the general method. As regards small fruits it is usual, in most parts of 

 the world, to let the boxes or baskets be retained by the purchasers, as 

 after being used for berries they are generally stained and unfit for 

 further use. Grapes when sent to the market must be firmly packed in 

 layers, and the cases should be sufficiently full to require some slight 

 pressure in fastening down the lids. 



Packages for Small Fruits. There is a great deal of confusion in 

 the way small fruits are sent to market in this part of the world, as 

 they are packed in all sorts of receptacles, varying greatly in form and 

 shape. It would be well for growers to bring about a more systematic 

 mode of packing on a uniform basis. The following illustrations show 

 the packages most generaly used in England and America, and some of 

 them have been recently introduced to Australia. The English round 

 chip punnet has been for -many years the receptacle used in the United 

 Kingdom for Strawberries and Raspberries, it having superseded a 

 conical one known as the " pottle." Punnets are made of different sizes, 

 the one most generally used being six inches in diameter and two deep. 

 The punnets are packed in boxes, as shown in the illustration. Of late 

 years square chip baskets with handles have come into favour, and 

 seem likely to supersede the round punnets. The handles are made to 

 bend down when not in use, and this facilitates the packing in boxes, 

 which are the same as those used for punnets. The Jersey basket, as 

 shown in the illustration, holds about one pound, but though much used 

 in Europe and America, is objected to by some as being rather too deep 

 for tender fruit. The American baskets hold from one to two pounds, 

 and are very useful receptacles for any kind of small fruits. This class 

 of baskets has been introduced to Australia, and probably their use 

 will soon be general. The fruit crate shown in the illustration is of 

 American design, and is worthy of attention from fruit growers in this 

 part of the world. It is constructed to hold 32 quarts, and i* furnished 

 with a lock attached to a small chain. The party who sends the fruit 

 away has a key and locks the crate, and the one to whom the frnit io 

 consigned has a duplicate to open it upon arrival. By adopting this 

 precaution pilfering during transit will be avoided. 



