FRUIT-GROWING IN THE UNITED STATES 465 



The methods of marketing have changed very slowly so far as 

 the package is concerned. There is probably a very slight increase 

 in the quantity of apples shipped in boxes, but for the most part 

 the barrel is used, since it has proved satisfactory to the English 

 market. Barrels are manufactured especially for the Nova Scotia 

 apple trade, the flat-hooped barrel being the one most desired 

 because of its better appearance. The size of the barrel in Nova 

 Scotia is 96 quarts, while in Ontario it is 112 quarts, but there 

 will undoubtedly be some law passed requiring a uniform size. 



FlG. 195. A Rhode Island orchard 

 A portion of a iooo-tree orchard in Rhode Island. (Courtesy of A. E. Stene) 



Owing largely to the Fruit Marks Act the honesty and care 

 with which apples are packed have materially improved. This im- 

 provement has, in a measure, been the result of the fear of detec- 

 tion on the part of fraudulent packers, but it is chiefly the result of 

 the educational effect of the law, through demonstrations of the 

 proper way to pack apples and the arousing of a general interest 

 in the matter. 



There has been a gradual increase in the percentage of orchards 

 which are thoroughly cultivated ; in fact, it may be said that as a 

 rule cultivation is more common than any other method of manage- 

 ment. Clean culture is practiced up to about July 1, when some 



