yi4 OF GATHERING APPLES AND PEARS. 



corner : they have two small iron handles, one at 

 each end, by which they are fastened to the roof of 

 the coach : in these boxes we send Melons, Cur- 

 rants, Pears, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, and 

 Grapes, packed so as always to have the heaviest 

 fruit at bottom. The Melons are wrapped up in 

 soft paper : the Pears, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, 

 and Grapes, are first wrapped up in Vine-leaves, 

 and then in paper. The Cherries and Currants are 

 packed in a flat tin box, one foot four inches long, 

 ten inches broad, and four deep. 



In packing, proceed thus : — First, put a layer 

 of fine long dry moss in the bottom of the tin box, 

 then a layer of Currants or Cherries, then another 

 layer of moss ; and so on, alternately fruit and 

 moss, until the box is so full, that, when the lid is 

 • hasped down, the fruit may be so firmly packed as 

 to preserve them from friction. 



Make a layer of fine moss and short soft dry 

 grass, well mixed, in the bottom of the deal box ; 

 then pack in the Melons with some of the same, 

 packing it tight in between all the rows, and also 

 between the Melons in the same row, till you have 

 finished the layer ; choosing the fruit as nearly of a 

 size as possible, filling up every interstice with the 

 moss and grass. When the Melons are packed, 

 lay a thin layer of moss and grass over them, upon 

 which place the tin box with the Currants, packing 

 it firmly all round with moss to prevent it from 

 shaking ; then put a thin layer of moss over the 

 box, and pack the Pears firmly (but so as not to 



