HOW TO GROW AND MARKET FRUIT 



following out the system of putting the next apples in the 

 hollows between the last ones, has an apple right in the corner, 

 two more in front of it, with a third to the left of the two, 

 making the second row, then five in the third row, and so on. 

 As you fill the box, put the biggest apples at the center of the 

 box. When the last layer is reached, there should be a bulge 

 at the center of at least an inch. When the thin lid is nailed on, 

 the boards will bend, holding the apples between a spring, 

 in a way, and taking advantage of the first great point in the 

 superiority of the box over the barrel the flexible package. 

 All kinds of apples can be packed in boxes. The usual plan is 

 to pack only the finer ones. But, if an apple is worth growing, 

 it is worth taking care of, and we are not advocating half-way 

 measures anywhere in this book. 



Other packs are put up on exactly the same lines. You will 

 soon learn how by doing it. Remember that the object is not 

 the system itself, but to get the apples to the consumer in the 

 best shape possible. Some apples will be loose in any of these 

 classes, and with these it is advisable to use cardboard between 

 the layers. Some growers also use corrugated paper on the top 

 and bottom of box. In all cases, every box should be lined 

 with two pieces of paper. This comes cut to the sizes wanted. 

 In using, it is necessary to put a fold or pleat in each sheet 

 where it goes into the lower corners, to prevent tearing when 

 the bulge is made. Take a sheet in both hands, fold it toward 

 you with fingers, then back again, then draw it across your knee. 

 Apples should be wrapped in paper. This undoubtedly pre- 

 vents wilting and keeps the air from them. A tissue, made for 

 the purpose, is better than anything else. It comes ready cut 

 in the right sizes, which are either ten by ten inches or eight 

 by ten, and ready printed, too, if wanted. The cost of these 

 wrappers is about 35 cents a thousand. 



Get a neat and attractive lithographed label, showing an 

 orchard scene and your name, etc., to go on the end of each box or 

 barrel. It is best also to have stencils or large rubber stamps with 

 which to mark each package with exactly what is in it, as "3-tier, 

 88, Stayman Winesap," and your name and address. If you grow 

 good fruit and use care in getting it to customers, you are 

 entitled to the benefit of the good-will you establish. Never 

 make the mistake of trying to get the old packages back for 

 use the next season. It pays to use new boxes or barrels each 

 time. An old barrel or box will condemn the fruit it carries, 

 right away. This applies to fruit packages of any kind. Where 

 to buy barrels, boxes, hampers, baskets, depends upon your 

 location. Watch the advertising columns of the farm and fruit 

 papers and books. Send for prices and compare. The adver- 

 tisements will be your buying guide for a good many things. 



Pears are best packed in the bushel boxes or in hampers. 

 They should be wrapped in tissue paper, first carefully graded, 

 and very carefully arranged. The arrangement in the packages 

 will be same as for apples. Some very fine pears can be shipped 

 in peach carriers and sell to advantage. Plain fruit is handled 

 best without tissue wrapping in hampers. 



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