348 



^ Another illustration shows a safe way of packing choice 

 apricots in a light wood veneer basket. 



Basket of Apricots. 



All soft fruit, including those mentioned, as well also as figs, 

 should never be packed in more than two layers, and whenever the 

 fruit is of a particularly soft kind one layer only is advisable. 



Grapes do not all carry or keep well. Those with a firm skin 

 and flesh are the most suitable for this purpose. 



Amateur packers are apt to err in the direction of packingjtoo 

 loosely, they are afraid of setting them firmly for fear of spoiling 

 the bloom, whereas they go the right way to work to lose [the 

 whole of it. If the bunches will not bear a rough shake they are 

 sure to travel badly. 



When packing grapes, several styles of boxes are used. Any of 

 those figured on the plate illustrating the fruit cases more 

 commonly used in Australia will do, and more particularly Nos. 

 1, 3, 4, and 5. 



Their capacity is about a bushel, and they hold, according'to 

 the kind of grapes and the careful packing, from 28 to 361bs. r of 

 fruit. 



The bunches of grapes having been snipped off the vines with 

 as little handling as possible, are carefully laid in baskets, and 

 taken to the packing shed. It is preferable to pick them in clear, 

 dry weather, and in the cool of the morning. When packing in 

 the large cases, which are first lined with clean white paper 

 commence by packing the bunches firmly and neatly together 



