138 HORTICULTURE LECT. ix 



f orinity in size, and all diseased or otherwise damaged 

 specimens must be discarded. Fruit should be dry, 

 clean, and bright in appearance. Apples are much 

 improved in the latter respect by rubbing each one 

 separately and lightly with a soft cloth. All bruised, 

 broken, or decaying specimens must be taken out, 

 and, as previously stated, they should be assorted as 

 to size. In plums and other soft fruits it is especially 

 needful to reject all damaged specimens, as the 

 exuding juices from a very few will suffice to dis- 

 figure a large sample. All fruit should be firm, yet 

 fit for immediate use, when sent to market. Such is 

 the case with American fruit when received, and that 

 is frequently given as a reason why it sells more 

 freely than English grown. People buy for imme- 

 diate, not prospective, wants. 



Let all fruit be honestly packed, giving good 

 measure, and allowing no surfacing of packages with 

 superior samples. Honest procedure gives confidence 

 to buyers, and eventually proves advantageous to the 

 grower and seller. 



ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 



The only questions asked at the close of this lecture that 

 elicited replies of general interest were those in relation to 

 baskets and other measures for sending produce to market. 

 The following articles are generally employed in Covent 

 Garden : 



MARKET FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MEASURES 



These, being often made either of osier or deal shavings, vary 

 triflingly in size, more than measures made of less flexible 

 materials. 



SEAKALE PUNNETS. Eight inches diameter at the top, seven 

 and a half inches at the bottom, and two inches deep. 



RADISH PUNNETS. Eight inches in diameter and one inch 

 deep, if to hold six hands ; or nine inches by one inch for 

 twelve hands. 



