MARKETING THE CROPS 237 



than twenty pounds. Two sizes of Climax baskets are shown 

 in Fig. 47. It is commonly understood, however, that the 

 packages are short in weight, and as grapes are retailed by the 

 basket and not by the pound, short weight does not really 

 deceive. 



These baskets are made of thin wood veneer with a 

 light wood binding at the top and bottom. The cover is of 

 wood and is usually fastened on with staples. The handle is 

 either of wood or of wire. When well made, the baskets are 

 firm and symmetrical, without splinters and are clean and 

 white. Packages carried over from year to year become dingy 

 in color, but the wood may be whitened by fumigating in the 

 storage-room with sulfur. The baskets also become yellow 

 and discolored if left in the sun and must, therefore, be stored 

 in clean, dark, dry rooms. 



When grapes are sold by weight to manufacturers of wine or 

 grape-juice, they are usually delivered in the picking trays 

 which, if the market is near at hand, are always returned. 

 If they are to be shipped far, they go to market in twenty-pound 

 baskets or bushel baskets, although the latter are not regarded 

 with favor by consumers. 



Packing. 



Grapes packed indoors, as has been said, are allowed to 

 stand from a few to twenty-four hours after being picked to 

 permit them to wilt. When thus wilted they are much more 

 easily packed and do not shrink in transportation, so that the 

 basket usually reaches the market well filled with fruit. Each 

 bunch of grapes is placed separately in the basket after all un- 

 marketable berries have been removed. The bunches are 

 arranged in concentric tiers, the top layer being placed with 

 special care. When the basket is filled, the grapes rise a little 

 above the level of the basket, care being taken not to have the 

 fruit project too much so that the grapes will be crushed when 



