94: FANCY FRUIT DEALER. 



laid on their sides closely together, until the top of 

 the barrel is covered. A second layer is added, in 

 the same way as the first. Continue in this way 

 until the barrel is one-third full ; then shake gently 

 so that the fruit will settle without being bruised. 

 This shaking should be repeated several times until 

 the barrel is full, when the pears should be in such 

 a position that the bottom of the barrel, when 

 pressed in, may come in direct contact with the last 

 layer. The hoops should then be put on, and four 

 small nails driven through them, to keep them and 

 the bottom in place. The barrel may be marked 1, 

 2 or 3, so that the consignee may know the quality 

 of the fruit without opening each package, although 

 he should always be advised by mail of the number 

 of packages and the quality of the fruit shipped. 



We send the larger part of our pear crop to mar- 

 ket, packed in new half-barrels, and, as a general 

 rule, it commands a higher price in these packages, 

 especially if the fruit is very choice. 



The retailer, fancy fruit-dealer, and hotel keeper 

 buy these packages in preference to the larger ones. 

 If half-barrels are used, pack the fruit in the same 

 manner as in barrels. 



When the cover is taken off from pears packed 

 in this way, each pear lies close in position, the ap- 

 pearance presented is inviting to the purchaser, and 



