PACKING FRUIT FOR MARKET. 331 



Where the orchard consists of tall trees, steps are needed 

 to reach the fruit on the top branches. The best form has 

 wide steps at the bottom, and narrow ones at the top, 

 where the sides approach till they meet. At this point a 

 stout pole is hinged to act as a leg, forming a tripod with 

 the two sides of the steps. We thus have steps which 

 can be pushed up into the tree, and will yet stand alone 

 without leaning against the branches. When the steps 

 are in use, the picker needs to carry a small -handled 

 basket aloft with him, emptying the contents into the 

 larger baskets at intervals. 



Grading* The essence of good packing is careful grad- 

 ing, where the kind of fruit lends itself to the process. 

 It may seem ridiculous that graded fruit should make 

 better prices than the same produce in mixed sizes, par- 

 ticularly as the shopkeeper often mixes it again on his 

 stall ; but that such is the case can easily be proved by 

 trial. Generally it is sufficient to make two grades 

 " firsts " an'd " seconds," but with some samples of fruit 

 it is better to make a few " thirds " as well. Into this last 

 grade can be put misshapen and marked fruits, leaving 

 the il seconds " inferior to the " firsts " only in size. 

 When this is done the " seconds " often realise almost as 

 much money as the " firsts. " With some fruits, as will 

 be seen later, it pays to select some of the very choicest 

 to pack in small non-returnable packages, in addition to 

 the ordinary grades. The different grades should always 

 be distinguished by the use of packing paper of separate 

 colours, the various markets having recognised colours 

 for " firsts," " seconds," etc. 



Grading and packing are best done in a well-lighted 

 shed, fitted with benches or tables of convenient height. 

 The simplest plan is to have before one a basket just as it 

 arrives from the field, take out the fruit as it comes, and 

 grade and pack it at the same time that is to say, the 

 " firsts " are put into one package, the " seconds " into 

 another, and so on. Or the finest fruits can be picked 



