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Co, 103 Mnrrny st., New York, who have had much experience, 

 recommend Delaware quarts and Beecher pints for strawberries 

 and Beecher half" pints for raspberries. lam so well satisfied 

 that their views are correct that I shall in the main follow theii* 

 advice. The advertisements of many trustworthy manufticturers 

 of baskets and crates can be found in the agricultural papers. I 

 have tried to give the reader the pros and cons concerning the two 

 styles most in favor, leaving to him the choice. In view of my 

 nearness to market, and the fact that I shall chiefly grow the fancy 

 varieties, I shall invest 'largely in Beecher pints. For Wilson 

 strawberries I would recommend as a good package, the Delaware 

 32 quart crate, and for large berries, the 24 quart crate. 



rickingi — Having procured the baskets which suit us best, 

 the next thing is to fill them properly, and get them into market 

 looking fresh and attractive. It is just at this point that very 

 many wrong themselves or permit themselves to be wronged. 

 The time is past when all strawberries will sell as such at so 

 much per quart. Appearance often doubles the price, or makes 

 it difficult to sell the fruit at all. Soiled, muddy berries, even 

 though large, will bring but wretched prices, therefore the import- 

 ance of mulching. The fruit may be in beautiful condition upon 

 the vines and yet careless picking spoil it. The work is often 

 performed by children, or by those who have had no experience, 

 or from inherent shiftlessness, do ever^^thing in the worst possible 

 way. I have seen beautiful berries that in their brief transit 

 through grimy hands into the baskets, lost half their value. 

 Many pickers will lay hold of the soft berry itself and pinch it 

 as they pull it off. Then instead of dropping it into the basket, 

 will hold it in their hand as they pick others, and as their hand 

 grows fuller they will squeeze them tighter, and when at last 

 the half-crushed handful is dropped into the basket the berries 

 are almost mined for market pur|)0ses. Not for $10 per day 

 would I permit such a person to pick for me, fui- he not only 

 lakes lilty per cent from the price of the fruit, but gives my 

 brand a bad reputation. If j>ossibie the grower should carefully 



