APPLE GROWING AS A BUSINESS. 49 



to bear, spray for fungus and chewing insects. Pick your apples in 

 the proper season according to varieties. Have at hand a supply of 

 packages, either barrels, boxes, or baskets, in which to put your 

 apples. Handle apples carefully so as to injure fruit and trees as 

 little as possible. If not sorted in the field put them at once in a 

 cool, dark place. Pack apples in boxes or barrels, according to 

 grade of fruit. Never box any but the finest specimens, remember- 

 ing that the Western box apples are the standards by which we shall 

 be judged. Have neat and attractive packages. Grade and pack 

 apples fairly and honestly. Have sorting table to work at, as it 

 greatly lessens labor. Pack barrels thoroughly; on face end stencil 

 plainly grade and variety. Sell according to your market, location 

 and inclination; early selling for the average apple grower is usually 

 the best policy. To anyone who will give careful and earnest 

 consideration to the economic advantages which New England 

 possesses and apply these practical and common sense suggestions 

 in the growing and handling of the fruit, I think their point of view 

 will soon coincide with mine that apple growing is one of the most 

 profitable lines of agricultural efforts in New England, and that an 

 acre of mature, well-cared-for bearing trees is the most valuable 

 acre of land devoted to agricultural purposes in New England. 



