FRUIT SHOWS 259 



prize. The fruit may be either packed at home or 

 shipped to the show and packed by experts, the latter is 

 usually the better, as good packs may be disarranged by 

 rough handling in shipping. 



The fruit selected for the exhibit is best placed by 

 itself as soon as picked and graded. When the time for 

 the show arrives it is re-graded and carefully examined 

 for blemishes of all kinds. Scab or scale-marked fruit 

 is rejected. All stems should be intact, and no limb 

 bruises or blotches show. After this is done, the owner 

 or packer grades for size and color. Each package then 

 is as uniform in these respects as possible. Many shows 

 specify what the standard sizes of the different varieties 

 is to be, in which case the exhibitor adheres strictly to 

 the rules. Unduly large fruits should not be placed in 

 commercial packs for that which is discounted on the gen- 

 eral market will be discounted by the judges. And the 

 market does not care for oversized specimens. In plate 

 exhibits uniformity in size and color markings are looked 

 out for. Fruit may vary naturally in color yet uniform- 

 ity in each separate plate is necessary. Overcolored or 

 undercolored specimens are usually discounted. 



When the selection is all complete the packing may 

 begin. Barrels and boxes may be packed before send- 

 ing. Most judges allow for the ordinary box bruises, 

 so siich will stand an even chance with those packed 

 after reaching the show. Long distance shipping in 

 barrels for exhibition seldom pays. Boxes may be placed 

 in straw or excelsior in barrels. If sent to the exhibition 

 and then packed, about 15% more fruit is sent than is 

 intended to be used, to allow for bruises or damages in 

 shipping. For plate specimens, each separate fruit is 



