PACKING AND MARKETING FRUIT APPLES. 32) 



lengthwise, pointed at the ends, and stuck into the upper rounds of the basket. These 

 sticks rise slightly above the fruit and protect it from the weight of the other baskets ; 

 this being important, as they are packed on the top of each other, and the bottoms 

 being slightly hollow they pack firmly. In summer time long green grass is generally 

 used, and in winter mixed litter or pea-haulm. In using those or other baskets 

 take care to pack the fruit firmly. The baskets must be well filled, arranging the 

 top layer to present an attractive appearance. Fruit loosely packed always travels 

 badly. 



American apples are packed in barrels, each containing 2^ bushels. A piece of thin 

 paper is placed over the bottom, the fruit packed tightly, and a lever employed to press 



Fig. "4. FLAT BASKET (A) AND BOUND BASKKT (I?) FOR PACKING APPLES. 



it into the barrels. This causes slight indents in the fruits, but indentation from pres- 

 sure merely impacts the juices, and decay is less likely to occur than is the case from the 

 bruises inflicted by loose packing. One great advantage of packing apples in barrels is 

 their becoming the property of the purchaser of the fruit. Greengrocers like them 

 because they take xip little room, and there is not the trouble of keeping an account of 

 and returning empties to the senders of the fruit. Packing in barrels is a great boon to 

 the salesmen and buyers. The system deserves the attention of home-growers, especially 

 those sending large quantities of apples long distances. The barrels must be clean or 

 new, and each stamped at one end with the brand of the grower or consigner as a 

 guarantee tnat the contents are what they are described (Fig. 75). Old oil-cake casks 



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