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THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



fruit will have an attractive appearance, provided the side lining paper has a neat fringe, 

 and is turned over about | inch all round. Where large quantities of figs have to be 

 packed, two-layer boxes are sometimes used. These are 20 inches long, ends 12 inches 

 by 31 inches, and hold about 20 pounds. A one-layer fig box is the same length and 

 width, but 2 inches in depth, and holds about 10 pounds. 



Gooseberries. Green gooseberries are gathered by women and boys at the rate of 

 Id. per stone or 2d. per half-sieve, the price varying in different parts of the country, 

 and according to the crop. For the London markets the baskets contain 28 pounds of 

 fruit. The sides are lined, the paper being sufficient to allow of the two sheets lying 



over one another when turned 

 down, to screen the fruit and 

 keep it clean. Some pea haulm, 

 or rough green grass, is then 

 placed over the paper, the whole 

 secured with two sticks. Eipe 

 gooseberries for market must 

 only just have assumed their 

 colour when gathered. If soft 

 they are not only apt to split 

 in damp weather, but will not 

 travel well nor stand handling. 

 Warrington may be riper than 

 most other kinds, but even this 

 variety is liable to suffer damage. 

 Ripe gooseberries are packed in 



half-sieves, similar to green. They are also packed in upright punnets, this extra care and 

 labour being well repaid. Choice gooseberries packed in chip punnets, holding \ pound 

 or 1 pound, find ready customers in the shops. The punnets are supplied by salesmen 

 at the rate of 5s. to 8s. per gross. Larger quantities of ripe gooseberries may be packed 

 in chip baskets with handles, the handle lying flat during transit. 



Grapes. Large quantities of grapes are sent to market in small baskets, holding 

 from 8 to 16 pounds, first lining the baskets with tissue paper, then placing the bunches 

 close together, covering with a sheet of paper, and finally putting this basket into a 

 larger one, termed a " flat." This description of package is shown in Fig. 76. 



Fig. 76. GBAPES PACKED IN BASKET AND PLACED rtr A " PLAT." 

 Referencis: a, basket for grapes ; 6, tissue paper ; c, "flat." 



