HANDLING THE CROP 131 



interests, but those of every other grower in the 

 country. Eventually, no doubt, it will be necessary 

 to have a strong co-operative association to standard- 

 ize the packs and see that every brand is kept at par. 



If dates are to be packed in bulk, the box should 

 be lined with a good grade of heavy, paraffined paper, 

 and the fruit laid in rows, sufficiently pressed together 

 to be tight, and prevent the dates to some extent from 

 drying out, but yet not enough to squeeze them out 

 of shape. It is desirable that dates should be packed 

 with the calyx in place, as when this is pulled out it 

 leaves a broad avenue for dirt and worms to enter 

 the seed cavity. One can not absolutely insist on this, 

 as it is impossible with certain varieties. 



The pack must be uniform, every date being of 

 the same variety. Otherwise the grower can not 

 expect to get any higher price than is paid for culls. 



If the dates are not to be sold in bulk, and yet 

 can not meet the requirements of the fancy trade, a 

 wooden berry box offers a cheap and convenient 

 means of packing. If soft, the dates should be 

 covered with paper, and a ribbon across the top adds 

 a touch of attractiveness at a slight cost. But in such 

 a matter each packer will have ideas of his own. 



The most remunerative trade, however, and the 

 one to which every shipper will desire to cater if the 

 quality of his fruit permits, is that for dates packed 

 like confectionery. For this purpose, boxes holding 

 a pound or two pounds are used, and may be made of 

 pasteboard, wood or tin; the former are good enough 

 for ordinary purposes. Usually only two layers of 

 dates are placed in a box, but they must be selected 

 fruit, every berry plump, sound, well ripened, and not 

 crushed. The top layer is packed with a little extra 



