46 FRUIT-GROWER, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



popular climax grape basket. It is made of veneer, 

 with a stiff handle. These are used in various sizes, 

 but the 8-lb. and the 10-lb. sizes are much the com- 

 monest. These baskets are sometimes covered with 

 slat tops, but oftener with mosquito netting. This 

 package has the advantage of going direct to the con- 

 sumer with the least possible trouble to him. It is a 

 more expensive package to handle than either of the 

 others. 



Climax Peach Basket 



Peaches are graded according to size and color. 

 All peaches of any basket should be of the same size, 

 and all first-grade peaches should be well colored. 

 Two or three grades are made, as the character of 

 the fruit may require or the fancy of the shipper 

 dictate. 



The fruit is usually graded in a packing shed, 

 whither it is brought as fast as picked. In the shed 

 it should be poured out on narrow tables for sorting. 

 These ought to be padded to prevent bruising of the 

 fruit. If several packers are to work together 

 the tables should be divided into sections of conveni- 

 ent length. The tables usually slant toward the 

 packers, which helps to roll the fruit toward them, 

 and which also gives them a better view of the fruit. 

 Considerable skill is required to sort and pack 



