Report of Society's Meetings. 173 



oranges in each box or barrel are of uniform size. Each orange and 

 lime is then wrapped up in specially prepared coarse yellow paper, and 

 carefully placed in the box or barrel. The paper is 14 inches by 18 

 inches in size, and it costs 27 cents per ream in Dominica. It is im- 

 ported from the United States. I send by book-post a few sheets of the 

 paper in order that you may obtain the proper kind. 



The boxes used for shipping oranges and limes measure about 2^ 

 cubic feet. They will hold from 160 to 170 oranges, and from 700 to 

 800 limes. The two ends are made of solid wood, and a division 

 similar to the ends is placed in the centre, so that there are two com- 

 partments. The bottom, the top and the sides are open laths. The 

 boxes come out from the United States in separate pieces, and they are 

 put together in the island. They cost about 24 cents each when put 

 together ready for packing the fruit. 



The barrels used for shipping fruit are the ordinary flour ones, but 

 holes are cut in the staves, and at the heads, for the purpose of ven- 

 tilating the fruit and keeping it cool. A barrel when properly packed 

 holds, on an average, about 350 oranges or from 1,400 to 1,600 limes. 

 The holes are cut roughly with a hatchet, and after a while a man may 

 become so expert in the work as to prepare a barrel in a very short space of 

 time. Five holes, or rather slits, are cut at the bilge, two inches wide and 

 eight inches long. The slits are made at the edge of the staves, or two 

 staves may be taken in, and this then will be less weakening to the 

 barrel. Four slits are then cut at each end, between the head and bilge 

 hoops— these are 3 inches long and 2 inches wide. Thus there are five 

 8-inch slits and eight 3 inch ones — or thirteen altogether. In addition 

 to these, two holes, cut in the form of half moons, are made at each 

 end. (A rough sketch forwarded will show at a glance the exaft way in 

 which the holes were arranged.) 



When barrels are prepared for limes, the slits are made only an inch 

 wide instead of two inches. The barrels in Dominica cost 30 cents each 

 when ready for the fruit. 



It is found that the fruit reaches New York in a better condition 

 when packed in boxes, and considering the longer journey it would 

 have to undergo if shipped from British Guiana, it is doubtful whether 

 it is advisable to employ barrels or packages in your colony. I noticed 

 in the fruit markets in London, that maize husks are used in the pack- 

 ing of Sicilian lemons, each layer of fruit being kept apart by this 

 absorbent material. In an experimental shipment of oranges I made 

 to London many years ago, I endeavoured to follow this system by 



