STATE POMOLOGICAL S0CIE;TY. 7I 



If you have been in the market in Boston, you would see that 

 there are a number of different kinds of boxes in use. One of 

 the best and cheapest, is the Colorado box. It has nice well 

 dressed ends. The bottom and top are made of very thin 

 material that is not dressed. When the box is packed the 

 bottom and top spring out, but when the fruit settles, it closes 

 up, and keeps the apples from rattling. This you can see, is a 

 great deal in its favor. 



The box is as cheap a form of package as the barrel, owing to 

 the advance in the price of barrels, in late years ranging from 

 35 to 45 cents. By using the box, you can save in freight, over 

 the barrel, by space taken up in the car. 



There should be a uniform box package for apples for the 

 export trade. The barrel may be desirable for a certain per 

 cent of apples grown, but at the same time, Maine apples seldom 

 reach Great Britain in perfect condition. And you well know 

 that there are certain varieties which cannot be shipped in 

 barrels and come out sound. When the buyer wants a fancy 

 apple for table use, price is of no object, and bruised apples are 

 out of the question. For the fine trade the box package is 

 necessary. 



Nearly all of the fine fruit imported, also all brought in from 

 the western states to eastern markets are in the box form. 



Now, why should not we in exporting, be up with them in 

 shipping our fruit. We need to make a standard size box and 

 put it in force by our actions. It seems beyond question that it 

 would be a great benefit to the fruit grower. 



In some sections of the country the cooperative plan in pack- 

 ing and selling fruit is being carried out in the form of a pack- 

 ing house with success. Each man sends his own fruit to the 

 packing house where it is graded and carefully packed in a 

 scientific manner. Being in touch with th^ principal markets 

 the manager can often sell to a greater advantage than could 

 otherwise be the case. To the small grower cooperation would 

 be of great value, as he has not the facilities to pack and sell in 

 small amounts. Fruit should be graded like corn and wheat 

 that it may be quoted on the market by grade, then the buyer 

 will be able to know what he is buying. But under the present 

 system, with each man grading his fruit to his own liking, and 

 packing in different size boxes, this is impossible. 



