178 



THE STRAWBERRY 



picked. As soon as the fruit is placed 

 in crates they should be sent directly 

 to the refrigerator, because the heat 

 quickly injures the fruit. 



The strawberry is marketed in 

 many styles of boxes and crates. 

 They vary in size and in shape. The 

 capacity of the boxes ranges from 

 scant pints to full quarts, but there 

 is a growing tendency to a standard 

 full size quart box. The American 

 type of box is most generally used. 

 The octagon box is objectionable 

 because of its shape and the raised 

 bottom. The boxes are packed in 

 crates of varying sizes and range from 

 24 to 32 quarts. In some sections a 

 larger crate is sometimes used, but 

 it is not so very satisfactory. 



Varieties. — There has been a re- 

 markable development in strawberries 

 since the first variety gained promi- 

 nence. There are a great many 

 varieties that can be grown with suc- 

 cess in all localities, and the grower 

 should collect evidence on the be- 

 havior of different kinds in his region 

 before determining upon any special 

 variety. Some sorts will grow well 

 on one class of soil while others will 

 be a failure on that same soil, and 

 only local experience can determine 

 the best variety for a given section. 



The grower must also remember that 

 the strawberry is divided into two 

 classes based upon the kind of flowers 



Fig. 89. — Pistillate or female and staminate or male flowers of the strawberry 

 plant. (Cruickshank, Ohio State University.) 



