84 Covent Garden Market. 



under any mode of treatment that I have pursued. Any information on this 

 point would be desirable. — R. T. Jan. 1. 1834. 



Berberis vulgaris asperma. — Is there any such thing as the true stoneless 

 berberry ? I perceive it is in the Horticultural Fruit Catalogue. I have re- 

 ceived plants for it from various sources, but they have always proved, when 

 grown in my garden, nothing but the common wild berberry. Is it only an 

 accidental variety, that is apt to run back to its original state in particular 

 soils and situations? — Id. 



Taxus baccdta. — Is it necessary for the berries of the common yew tree to 

 lie and rot one year before sowing, in the same manner as haws ? — Id. 



Lemon Seeds. — Can any of your correspondents inform me, if the seeds or 

 pips of a lemon be extracted from the pulp, and thoroughly cleansed, whether 

 in this state they will retain their vegetative properties for two years ; and, if 

 they are found to do so, whether the seeds are not best kept in white sand till 

 it is convenient to sow them ? — Id. 



On the best Mode of packing Peaches, Grapes, and Strawberries, to send to a 

 Distance. — In answer to " A Constant Reader's" query on this subject (IX. 

 723.), I beg to offer the following account of the modes I usually practise: — 



For peaches my plan is this : I procure a box of a size proportionate to the 

 quantity of fruit that I wish to send, some tow, and some silver paper. I cut 

 the paper into small squares, and place one square smoothly round each 

 peach ; after this, I put a small quantity of tow carefully and evenly around 

 the paper. Into the bottom of the box I put a thin layer of dried moss, on 

 which I put the fruit as closely together as possible, and in the following 

 manner : I pack two layers without anything more between them than the 

 paper and tow which surround them ; I then carefully support a thin board 

 by three nails from the outside, so that the board may not press too much on 

 the fruit below ; this board forms a second floor, on which I pack two layers 

 more ; and so on. If melons are required, they may be closely packed in the 

 lower chamber, or in the top part, if any vacant space remain ; but care should 

 be taken to fill up any vacancy well with tow. 



Grapes I pack as follows : Into the bottom of a box I put a shallow layer 

 of clean bran ; I then place in closely a layer of bunches of grapes that are 

 perfectly dry, and from which all the decayed berries have been carefully 

 removed ; I then strew in as much bran as will cover them, and so on till the 

 box is filled ; taking care to shake the box gently as I proceed, that the bran 

 may fill up every crevice, and prevent the bunches from being displaced during 

 their journey. The person who unpacks the fruit may easily clean away the 

 bran, by blowing smartly through the bunches with a small pair of bellows. 



For packing strawberries, I provide a quantity of small upright wicker 

 baskets made to hold from a pint to a quart each ; I fill them by putting the 

 fruit in very closely together as I gather it; I then tie the baskets down care- 

 fully, and closely pack them in an upright position in a large flat basket made 

 for the purpose. Strawberries, thus packed, will be quite fit to go to the table 

 after one day's journey; and it is advisable never to attempt to send this fruit 

 to a distance which will require it to be two days on the road. 



I have practised the above modes for several years, and I shall continue to 

 adhere to them until I am fully convinced that I can adopt better ones. I am, 

 Sir, yours, &c. — Thomas Wilson, Gardener to the Rt. Hon. the Earl De la Warr. 

 Buckhurst Park, Sussex, Dec.2\. 1833. 



Art. VII. Covent Garden Market. 



The Capacity of the Measures used in Covent Garden Market. — To the 

 information given on this subject by Mr. Bevan (IX. 380.), that gentleman 

 has since added the following : — 



There are four sizes of punnets, which leaves the capacity of this measure 

 very uncertain, unless the particular variety is indicated. From Mr. Bevan's 

 experiments the greatest capacity of the 



