444 CITRUS FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



Packing. After accurately sizing the fruit, previous 

 to which it has been properly graded and cured, it is 

 ready for packing. The packer grasps a piece of paper 

 with the tips of his fingers, so as to leave it spread out in 

 bis hand, with the right hand he places a fruit on the 

 paper in the palm of his left hand, and then with the 

 right draws the edges together, giving them a dexterous 

 twist to hold it in place. It is then placed in position 

 in the box. 



The first two layers of fruit in the bottom of the 

 box (the top when opened), should have the twists on the 

 paper upward, afterwards they should be turned down. 

 Each layer should be snugly packed and each fruit gently 

 but firmly placed in position. If a system of packing dia- 

 grams is used and the boxes are properly made, each in- 

 dividual fruit has its own special place in the box into 

 which it should fit snug and tight. 



When packing is completed the fruit should stand 

 about one-half inch above the sides of the box. Mandarin 

 oranges should project less, rather than more. 



If linings are used, a good quality of shelf paper 

 should be secured for the purpose. It should be cut into 

 lengths of 11 inches and should be about S l / 2 inches 

 wide. It may be glued to the inner edges of the box, or 

 it may be folded about two and a half inches back from 

 the straight edge. Place it in place so that the first layer 

 of oranges will rest upon it and hold it in place. 

 The lower box in Plate XXIX shows the lining paper cov- 

 ering one-half the box, while from the other it is thrown 

 back to show the fruit. Colored paper may be used, but 

 pure white paper is very neat and attractive. Colored 

 paper is open to the objection that a slight amount of 

 moisture causes the color to run. 



