STATU P0M0I.0G1CAL SOCIETY. 69 



bors came to him and wanted to know how it was he w'as able to 

 make larger returns to the growers than they were. "Do you 

 see those boxes?"' he replied, "There is the secret. People won't 

 buy a barrel of apples but they are glad to get a box. I used to 

 buy a barrel of flour at a time, but now i bu}" a bag instead. Wife 

 likes it better and so do 1." He has kindly sent me the following 

 letter : 



"In answer to xour inquiry of the 3d inst. would say that till 

 this season we did not favor the box for apples, but owing to the 

 high price of barrels we did advise boxes and the results have 

 proved very satisfactory to both shipper and ourselves, and 

 advise the box with the following dimensions: 18 inches square, 

 8 inches deep, inside measurement. A box of this size can be 

 utilized for other purposes. 



"We have received several thousand boxes this season and 

 we find they meet the requirements of this market, especially to 

 those supplying the family trade, where a barrel is in many cases 

 too large a quantit}-. To command high price only best stock 

 should be used, and utmost care used in packing." 



There are, in my opinion, even more desirable packages for 

 the dessert apple. Xot long since when in Boston, I saw some 

 fine Somerset apples. They sold for three cents each, and I 

 was exceedingly glad to get one for I wanted a Maine apple. I 

 am quite sure a man rushing for the train would be glad to pick 

 up a small basket of these for his w'ife, when he w^ould not think 

 of buying a bushel or even a half a barrel, and as for putting- 

 them up in a paper bag he w'ould not think of waiting for that. 

 And I believe earnestly and sincerely that one thing we want to 

 work for all it is worth, in the State of Maine, in Massachusetts 

 and ever}where else Maine apples go in the United States, is to 

 I)ut our fruit up in such way that the local dealer, that people 

 who eat apples in Maine cities and Massachusetts cities and else- 

 where, will feel that they want some as quick as they see them,, 

 and will take them home any way because they. are in packages 

 in which they can carry them conveniently. 



Mr. PoPK: I notice that the firm of Manchester & Son,, 

 orchardists, in liristol. Connecticut, are selling all their fruit 

 this year in these baskets (showing one). This only holds a half 

 a bushel, costs 5^4 cents, cheaper than the box, has a bail to it — 

 a man comes along in the market and he finds a hand.^^me apple 



