i94 Commercial Gardening 



numerous forms of chip non - returnables now on the market. These 

 chips will hold as much as 7 lb., according to the size and solidity of the 

 bunch and the amount of packing put in. The chips should be lined with 

 wood wool covered with tissue paper, and the bunches should be put in 

 as tightly as possible without crushing, and each bunch tied to the rim 

 of the basket by a piece of raffia. For shorter journeys the raffia tie 

 may be dispensed with if care is taken to pack the grapes closely. Since 

 adopting these non-returnable chips, the writer has never had a case of 

 damage during the journey to market. Another most important point, 

 which it seems almost shameful to have to impress upon growers, is that 



Fig. 387. Grapes and Tomatoes in flat handle-baskets as packed in crates in Channel Islands 



packing must be absolutely honest. It is wonderful how well second-rate 

 grapes will look when nicely packed so as to hide the worst side. What- 

 ever the quality, it should be labelled so that no mistake can be made, 

 no matter how nice the sample looks on the top; and if they sell for 

 their appearance no one is to blame in the matter. The buyers will soon 

 get to know which sender they can trust, and so, if for no better reason, 

 " honesty is the best policy ". 



Channel Island growers pack their grapes in small handle baskets, 

 several of which are placed in a strong wooden case bound round with 

 iron bands (tig. 387). These cases are slung by cranes from the wharf 

 on to the ship by means of chains or ropes fixed in the iron rings at the 

 corners, each case being marked as shown in the illustration, or labelled 

 " Grapes, with care " and " Lift with the crane " the latter injunction to 

 avoid rough usage at the hands of those who load the vessels. Fig. 388 

 also shows a crate of grapes packed for sea transit. 



