PACKING FRUIT FOR MARKET. 333 



berries, and is suitable also for Raspberries, dessert 

 Gooseberries, choice Plums, Greengages, etc. There is 

 no reason why it should not be used also for very choice 

 specimens of dessert Pears and Apples. For these fruits, 

 however, some growers now use non-returnable wooden 

 boxes, which certainly have the great advantage that the 

 fruit is well protected from damage, and capable of being 

 displayed with the greatest effect if tastefully packed. 

 Colonial growers have led the way in the use of such 

 boxes. They can be bought ready-made, or put together 

 at home during the winter months. Such boxes are none 

 too cheap, and should be used only for choice varieties 

 and good samples. It is, however, usually possible to 

 get the salesman to reduce his commission where non- 

 returnables are used as, indeed, he ought to, for he is 

 relieved of the expense and worry of supplying empties. 



The Actual Packing. The essential point in the actual 

 packing of large fruits is to make them so firm that they 

 will not shake about and bruise, and yet not so tight as 

 to damage them. At the same time, they should be so 

 arranged as to present the best possible appearance, 

 though " topping up " must be avoided. Let the pack- 

 ing be strictly honest, the fruit as good at the bottom as 

 at the top. Generally the same weight is required in 

 each package. 



Little more can be said about packing in a general way. 

 The best lesson is a visit to the market, and a chat with 

 the salesman, who is always ready to explain what 

 method of packing suits his trade best. The following 

 hints on the packing of the principal fruits show the 

 methods commonly followed: 



Apples. Dessert varieties usually go in half-sieves; 

 cooking varieties in sieves. A little wood-wool or hay is 

 put at the bottom, and round the sides a strip of " sugar- 

 paper," which can be obtained ready cut to size. Coloured 

 or white tissue-paper, denoting the grade, is doubled over 

 the edge of the basket, almost covering the bottom, and 



