PACKING AM) MARKKTIXd FRUIT PINEAPPLES, PLUMS. $31 



Pears require a rather higher and drier atmosphere for storing than apples, and are 

 improved in quality by being placed in a rather warmer situation shortly before use. 

 (See storing fruit, pages 203214, Vol. I.) 



General orchard and second-class plantation pears can be packed in the same way as 

 apples, that is, in sieve or bushel baskets, but choice fruit should be packed in boxes, 

 very choice pears placed in single layers. The boxes must be large enough to admit of 

 a little packing beneath and over the fruit. Specimen Pitmaston Duchess and other 

 very large pears require a box from 18 to 20 inches in length, 12 inches in width, and 

 4 inches in depth ; extra large fruit take a box 24 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 6 

 inches deep for a dozen. Those sizes are exceptional. Ordinary fruits such as Louise 

 Bonne of Jersey and Durondeau pack well in a box 15 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 

 3 inches deep. Such will hold two tiers of small fruits, as Bern-re* d'Aremberg. 

 Boxes that will take 1 dozen large fruits will hold 1^ dozen medium, aslant, or 2 dozen 

 smaller in two layers, and all should be firmly packed. Several boxes may be tied 

 securely one on another, but they are preferably packed in crates. 



Pineapples. The fruit should be cut when well coloured all over not allowed to 

 become dead ripe, so that it will keep in sound condition several days, and be an attrac- 

 tion in the fruiterer's window. It is best cut with a portion of stem, and all that is 

 needed is to wrap it in clean, white, rather stout paper, with the leaves of the crown 

 drawn upwards rather than crumpled and broken, securing with matting at both ends 

 and at the joint between the crown and fruit. Nothing further is required beyond laying 

 the fruit flat in a box on a good bed of paper shavings or sweet hay, and adding more 

 all round and over to make all tight when the lid is lightly nailed on. Two, three or 

 more fruits can be placed in a box, but it is best to have them in a single layer. 



Plums. If the fruit has to be sent a long distance it must be gathered as soon as 

 well coloured, and before it becomes soft. Plums are sent to the London markets packed 

 in half-sieves, which are generally made to a little over 28 pounds. Damsons are 

 packed similarly to plums, but many growers prefer flat, lidded baskets, a bushel flat 

 being 21 inches long, 16 wide, and 10 inches deep, inside measure. 



Choice plums for dessert may be packed in shallow boxes, just deep enough to hold 

 one layer. The box for such varieties as Jefferson, and Coe's Golden Drop, should be 

 10 inches in length, 6 inches in width, and 2 inches in depth, inside measurement, for 

 holding a dozen specimen fruits. The ends should be of |-inch stuff, sides inch, 

 bottom fV inch, and lid \ inch, secured together with wire nails, and the timber dressed 



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