122 AMEKICAN GRAPE GROWING 



Gather only in dry weather, cut the bunches carefully, 

 with as long a stem as possible for convenient handling, 

 and clip out carefully all unripe, shrivelled, or decayed 

 berries, taking care not to rub off their bloom. Then lay 

 them evenly, with stems downwards, fill the boxes well 

 to prevent shaking, filling all interstices with small 

 bunches. It is better to press down slightly and evenly 

 with the cover, than to pack too loose, as they at any rate 

 shake down in carriage. The riper they are the safer they 

 will carry. I have always obtained a higher price by wait- 

 ing until the rush was over, and then selling when they be- 

 came scarce. The Concord, Martha, Wilder, Goethe, and 

 Elvira, have a very thin skin, and can not, therefore, be 

 kept much after the first of October, but Lindley, Ives, 

 Catawba, and especially North Carolina and Rogers' No. 

 2, can be kept for months, having a tough skin. In- 

 deed, Rogers' No. 2 would keep until March if stored 

 away, packed in small boxes, in an even, cool tempera- 

 ture. Norton's Virginia and Cynthiana can easily be 

 kept all winter, and are very spicy and good, though they 

 will shrivel somewhat. But, as mentioned before, any 

 variety must be fully ripe to keep well. I think too little 

 attention has been paid to the keeping of grapes until 

 the holidays, at least, when high prices could be realized 

 for them ; that this can be done has been proved be- 

 yond a doubt. But for long keeping choose only the va- 

 rieties with rather tough skins, and keep them in an 

 even temperature of about 40°. They will keep better if 

 fine paper is put between the layers, and the room should 

 have the necessary ventilation. Examine from time to 

 time, and remove all defective berries. 



The best package for carrying grapes to market, and 

 which is now used almost entirely, is a cheap basket made 

 of splints. These are made to hold 8, 12, and 18 lbs., 

 with a cover fastened by clasps or wire. They can be had 

 at the factory at 50c. ^ 60c., and 70c. per dozen; they 



