THE STRAWBERRY. 247 



PACKING RIPE STRAWBERRIES FOR CARRYING. 



In these days of steam and express trains, it not 

 unfrequently happens that forced strawberries have to 

 be sent hundreds of miles to the dessert-table, and 

 much of their safe and successful transit depends on 

 the manner in which they are packed. I have been 

 in the habit of sending them from Scotland to London 

 three times weekly, and by the following method of 

 packing they have been received without a bruise : 

 They were packed in square boxes 4 inches deep, 

 divided into four compartments. In the bottom of 

 each division was placed a layer of fine paper-shavings, 

 then a layer of wadding, and over the wadding a sheet 

 of soft, pliable tissue-paper, all firmly pressed down, the 

 one upon the other. On this foundation, with a soft, 

 fresh strawberry-leaf beneath and between each fruit, 

 the strawberries were laid. Over them were placed 

 soft, young vine-leaves, then a sheet of tissue-paper, 

 and then wadding and paper-shavings enough to fill 

 the box as firmly as possible without bruising the fruit, 

 as their safe carriage depends on their being packed 

 sufficiently close and firm to prevent their moving 

 when the box is moved. This is what may be con- 

 sidered an extra-careful way of packing. Generally 

 they are packed in round or square boxes or tins, 

 with just leaves below and above them ; and with 

 ordinary usage they carry very well. But fruits sent 

 by rail are often roughly handled ; and when fine fruit 

 are produced after months of careful culture, careful 

 packing must be regarded as the gardener's finishing- 

 touch. The boxes in which they are packed should 

 be made of thin deal or tin, in which case two or 



