Sliipping Fnnt-Packagcs. 29 



particular packages in ■which cliiTerent fruits are sent forward. It must also 

 be remembered that the distances over \Yhich fruits are sent to Chicago 

 vary from twenty and thirty to three hundred miles ; and that the packages 

 are often reshipped at once to hundreds of towns in the interior, and farther 

 north, at various distances. Hence the importance of having the fruit 

 picked just in the right condition, and packed in the most perfect manner. 



It was conceded that apples were best shipped in barrels, but that it was 

 important to exercise great care in selecting the fruit, which should all be 

 of first quality. In packing the barrel, take out the bottom ; lay in the 

 specimens by hand, with the stem downward, until the bottom is covered ; 

 when the fruit may be placed at random, until the vessel is rather more 

 than full. The heads are laid in place, and a follower put upon them to 

 receive the pressure of a lever or screw that forces them down to the chine ; 

 when the hoops are driven and secured. On removing the follower, the 

 chine-hoop is nailed' to its place, the barrel reversed ; and what was the 

 bottom is marked with the name of the variety, and it becomes the top. 



Pears may be packed in the same manner, except that the first layer 

 should be laid upon their sides. In all cases, there should be but one 

 kind of either or any fruit placed in any one package. In Chicago, they 

 prefer boxes for pears as well as peaches. These boxes should be made 

 of some definite size and shape, so that their contents shall be integral 

 parts of the bushel. 



'This custom, however, does not prevail among those who cater to the 

 Chicago market ; but their packages contain about two-thirds of a bushel. 

 This will be a matter of little consequence when the central system is once 

 introduced ; and we were informed that much fruit is now sold in that 

 city by weight, so that the size of the box is a matter of less moment, and 

 the producer will be in a fair way of having his dues in future. Complaints 

 are still heard, however, from those who are provided with boxes contain- 

 ing an honest bushel, as is required in some other markets, that, when they 

 come in competition with the short measures, they suffer heav^ losses, because 

 the people will not pay a discriminating price. 



In packing the boxes, which are made with a partition in the middle to 

 separate the fruit, they are filled from the bottom, or lower side, and the 

 first layer is carefully placed, so as to present a good appearance when 



