82 BUSH-FRUITS 



not seem that they could possibly be kept from spoil- 

 ing. They are placed on the floor or in bins in a curing 

 room somewhere about the building, and are shoveled 

 over every day for about three weeks. By this time 

 any excessive moisture will have evaporated, and the 

 balance become evenly distributed throughout the whole 

 mass, which is by that treatment rendered soft and 

 spongy so that it can be readily pressed into the boxes 

 for shipping, a thing which could not be done if they 

 were dried down hard at first. The fruit is of much 

 better quality also, when cured in this way, for it soaks 

 out more readily, making a better product in every 

 way. 



MARKETING 



When sold fresh, black raspberries are usually 

 marketed in the ordinary quart baskets. They hold up 

 fairly well in these, and being one of the cheaper ber- 

 ries, this package meets the demands of most markets 

 well. The berries would be more attractive and handle 

 better in pints, if the market would warrant it. This 

 might be found advisable for the first of the season in 

 cases where a satisfactory price can still be maintained. 



The dried fruit is marketed in boxes holding fifty 

 pounds, or in barrels which hold about one hundred 

 and twenty -five pounds. These boxes can be gotten up 

 at home, but it will generally be found cheaper to buy 

 them directly from box manufacturers. They can be 

 had at the same price either in the knock-down or put 

 together. The freight rates are higher in the latter case, 

 so that the choice will depend somewhat upon location. 



