106 PEACH CULTURE. 



pieces of shingling lath of the required length, nailing 

 two strips of the same material opposite each other on two 

 of them for a step, and as many thus as there may be 

 steps required, and a board across the top ones for a rest 

 for the basket. Then take the other two pieces of lath, 

 and connect them by single rods or rungs for the support, 

 boring holes through them at the top for the connecting 

 rod with the steps. The upper edges of the strips in the 

 ladder proper serve instead of the regular step in the first 

 described. In order to stand firmly, the ladder and sup- 

 port are both wider at the bottom than at the top as the 

 first. 



Various other contrivances are used for the same pur- 

 pose. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



SHIPPING. 



In this, as in most other business, there is a class of 

 men called shippers. They are generally in connection 

 with the consignees in the city, and divide the commissions. 

 They are always identified with the local interest, and 

 generally have the confidence of the planters. They en- 

 gage cars, employ hands to receive the fruit from the 

 wagons, and store it properly in them. They are a very 

 useful adjunct to the trade as at present conducted ; but 

 if the railroad companies would do their duty, and employ 

 faithful and efficient agents in sufficient force, there 

 would be no need whatever of shippers, so cal'ed, and 

 the expense of their employment would be altogether 

 saved to the planter. But, as these companies have hither- 

 to failed altogether in their duty in this regard, shippers 



