406 The Principles of Fruit-growing. 
as our definition requires will do well to designate 
the first grade by some special name or mark, as 
“Selected,” “First Choice,” and the like, in order to 
distinguish it from the common type of so-called 
first-class fruit. In sueh thorough sorting, four 
grades are often necessary, Ino order to properly pre- 
sent the fruit to the various types of consumers. — It 
should be remarked, however, that the better the 
fruit as it hangs on the tree or vine, the fewer will 
be the grades in the packing-housc. 
The packing of fruit, therefore, comprises two 
‘ather— distinet elements, — the sorting or grading 
(which has now een considered), and the placing 
of the fruits in the final receptacles, or packing 
proper, to which we now proceed. 
How to pack.—The method of packing must de- 
pend very greatly upon the market which is to be 
reached, upon the quality of the fruit, and upon the 
package which is to be used. Ordinarily, women are 
better frnit-packers than men, expecially for the deli- 
eate fruits, like peaches, the berries and grapes. 
Each individual fruit or cluster should be placed in 
the package separately and by hand. This is em- 
phatically truce of all the tender and perishable des- 
sert fruits. The specimens are ordinarily laid in con- 
centric rows, the first row being placed on the out- 
side of the bottom of the basket, and other eir- 
eles filling in the layer until it is full. Other tiers 
ave then placed in the same way. The top Javer 
is placed with special care, the stems of the fruits 
being all laid one way, and the same side of the 
