334 FRUIT AND ITS CULTIVATION, 



leaving enough overlap to fold over the Apples at the top. 

 Red, blue, and white may denote the three grades, though 

 generally only two are made. Pack the Apples all the 

 same way up, most kinds going best with the eye up- 

 wards. Fold the paper over the top when the full weight 

 is in, place a layer of wood-wool or hay over, and secure 

 with two " benders " of willow; or tie newspaper over the 

 top. Label the outside of each basket, giving the sales- 

 man's name and address, the name of the variety, and 

 the grade. Some growers also put a label inside bear- 

 ing their own name and that of the variety. A half-sieve 

 of Apples holds 2olb., a sieve 4olb. ; but some salesmen 

 merely want the baskets filled, and not weighed. 



Packing in non-returnable boxes is now being recom- 

 mended. These boxes are of various sizes, and the 

 Apples are sold by count. The method of packing is prac- 

 tically the same as when baskets are used. Both sides 

 and ends should be lined with paper, to fold over the 

 fruit. Wood-wool is used, as before, at top and bottom, 

 and the fid nailed on. There are also possibilities in the 

 fancy packing of really fine specimens of choice dessert 

 varieties in small boxes holding one or two dozen in a 

 single layer, each fruit half-wrapped in white tissue- 

 paper, and bedded in wood-wool. 



Cherries. The bulk are packed, without grading, in 

 half-sieves, holding 24lb. No litter is wanted in the 

 bottom. The best finish is a circular cover of " sugar- 

 paper," sold to fit the baskets, with a layer of litter over, 

 secured with "benders." Failing the circular papers, 

 the baskets may be lined with tissue-paper, as for Apples. 

 Some of the very finest Cherries are sometimes selected 

 for packing in small chip baskets, or punnets, which ii. 

 turn are packed in single layers in flat boxes. 



Currants. Pack ungraded in half-sieves holding 24lb., 

 like Cherries, but the paper should be placed only over 

 the top of the fruit. Lining the baskets excludes air, and 

 the fruit does not keep well. Circular '* sugar-papers " 



