1899.] KSSAYS. 107 



very sharp two-inc-li chisel in siinihir pole for haiulle. Now 

 with these practical tools and a Waters' "tree pruner" we 

 can rapidly go ovei a large ajjple-tree, thinning out all the 

 weak and those too close to each other, the fruit spurs. Now 

 with care and good judgment in using the above tools and 

 rapidly removing the surplus spurs, we find very little summer 

 thinning of the apple and pear necessary. While the remain- 

 ing fruit spurs receive so much more nourishment that they are 

 decidedly stronger and produce larger, fairer, and higher 

 colored fruit. Brother Fruit Growers, our new method is prac- 

 ticable. The necessary tools recommended are easily obtained, 

 are very eft'ectual in practice, and the results very gratifying. 

 May success attend your efforts along these lines. 



PACKAGES FOR FRUIT 



should be of a uniform size and shape. The " Massachusetts 

 Fruit Growers' Association " should demand the enactment of 

 a State law defining the "Legal Standard Apple Barrel and 

 Small Fruit Package." For all will concede that the amount 

 of a product delivered should be the same as has been sold. 

 No one will defend giving short weight or measure. Yet in 

 our leading markets we find apple barrels differing more than a 

 peck in their capacity, and the so-called quart packages which 

 reijuire forty to hold a bushel. Such conditions demoralize 

 business, and react upon the whole community of fruit growers, 

 as it does on the individuals. The " American Apple Shippers' 

 Association " have recommended as a standard apple barrel the 

 following, viz. : " Length of stave 28^ inches, diameter of 

 head 17^ inches, and bilge 64 inches outside measurement." 

 We find even greater dissatisfaction in the use of small fruit 

 packages, for so much difference in sizes exist that it has 

 already seriously injured the business of the grower, makes 

 trouble for the dealer, and gives great dissatisfaction to the 

 consumer. A legal standard should also be adopted for peach 

 baskets and grape crates. Let a special committee of this 

 Society be appointed to report at our next meeting, " An Act 

 to Define the Size of all Fruit Packases." 



