l62 THE PEACHES OF NEW YORK 



used in sending peaches to market. The antiquated Delaware package, 

 a truncated cone holding a third- or a half -bushel, is now the most popular 

 package with growers. This package is a poor carrier, clumsy and easily 

 tipped over, its sides are so thin that the fruit bruises, it is easily opened 

 by thieves and it is unattractive. The reason for its popularity among 

 growers may be guessed when its sole merit is named — peaches need 

 less sorting and are easily packed in this Delaware package. The grand 

 jury of consumers, the country over, has declared for a smaller package 

 for dessert peaches than the Delaware truncated cone and a larger one 

 for culinary peaches. Better in every way, and more and more used by 

 growers in the State are the several sizes of climax baskets. The best 

 of all peach-packages, the Georgia carrier, is just coming into use in New 

 York. It is a crate holding six four-quart till-baskets. These till-baskets 

 are dainty and attractive, fulfilling well the adage " good goods come 

 in small packages." The Georgia carrier is conceded by all to hold the 

 palm of merit for long-distance shipments of dessert peaches. The bushel 

 and half-bushel, round-bottom, farm type, the substantial cover supported 

 by a stout peg between cover and bottom, are being more and more used 

 for shipping the home canning supply. In western New York the bushel 

 basket, if not now, promises soon to be the most popular of all peach- 

 packages. 



Our common commercial container, the Delaware basket, is seldom a 

 packed package. The peaches are turned in, assorted somewhat as to size, 

 and the top layer faced with the red cheek up. The climax basket requires 

 more care in packing. The fruit must be arranged in layers and tiers 

 according to the size of peach and basket. Skill and not a little ingenuity 

 are displayed in packing the dainty till-baskets for the Georgia carrier, 

 all depending on the size, uniformity and shape of the peach. The peaches 

 are placed in rows and tiers which regtdarly alternate and cover much 

 as in a box of packed apples. The peach-harvest in New York usually 

 comes in pleasant weather so that the packing house is generally but a 

 screen from the blaze of the sun, put up in the orchard. The packages, 

 both before and after filling, are, of course, kept clean and dr\' under per- 

 manent cover. 



The peach is so handsome and delectable, for that matter so pleasing 

 to all of the senses, that every fruit-grower takes special pride in a finely- 

 finished product going to market and more often than with any other 

 fruit advertises his wares with a label. These show original ownership, 



