36 



Sixth, practise thinning when trees set heavily. This gets rid of 

 the defective specimens of fruit before the tree has had the drain of 

 bringing them to full maturity, and the result is better fruit for that 

 year, and more likelihood of a crop the following year. Some varieties 

 need thinning far more than others, but any variety of any fruit which 

 tends to overbear will be benefited by it; and it is by no means as 

 expensive an operation as many people think. 



Sixth, and last, handle the fruit with the greatest care, grade it with 

 the greatest accuracy, and pack it with the greatest skill and honesty. 

 In picking and sorting, the fruit ought never to be tossed about or let 

 fall. No apple should be let go of until it is in contact with those 

 already in the basket. Pad baskets and tables, to avoid bruising. 

 For packages use the regular bushel box for all the best grades of 

 apples; either 10 by 12 by 20 inches inside measure, or 10+ by 11+ by 

 18 inches. The old, flat bushel box used for vegetables ought to be 

 abandoned. The box ends should be of three-fourths-inch stock, the 

 sides of three-eighths-inch, and the top and bottom of one-fourth-inch. 

 For the top, bottom and sides good clean spruce, straight-grained and 

 free of knots, is best. It must be good stock, to provide strength and 

 springiness with lightness. Where barrels are used, — and they will 

 undoubtedly long continue to be our main package, — get new ones, 

 if possible; second-hand ones are never entirely satisfactory. And 

 grade and pack with the greatest care. Carry out J. H. Hale's famous 

 motto, found on his labels, "U C Top U C All." Use the lace circles 

 shown in Fig. 5, and do everything possible to make the,package and 

 its contents attractive. 



And, above and beyond all, have faith in the industry. Talk New 

 England fruit to your friends and neighbors and customers. Tell them 

 we can grow the finest apples in the world, and that we ought to take 

 hold and recover our lost markets. And then practise tchat you preach. 



