io6 



THE FRUIT GARDEN 



at least a day earlier than if they were intended for consumption at home, 

 and if for a long journey two days earlier. The boxes I prefer for packing 

 peaches in are those 1 6 inches square, divided into sections 4 inches square 

 by thin boards as deep as the box, viz., 5 inches ; each of these sections 

 will accommodate one peach. The sattie boxes also answer well for packing 

 the choicest varieties of pears, and for nectarines, apricots, and choice dessert 

 plums, when two or three of the smaller fruits can be placed in one section. 

 Before packing begins as many sections of the boxes as are likely to be wanted 

 are partially filled with soft wood wool, enough to provide a base for the 

 fruit to rest upon. In packing, the fruit, if possible, should be graded, first 

 quality in one box, second and third in others, and each one labelled to this 

 efi^ect. This prevents much confusion and rough usage of the boxes at the 

 destination. There is nothing better than common cotton wool for wrapping 

 around the fruit, the smooth side of the wool being 

 placed next the latter. The wool should be cut into 

 squares large enough to envelop the fruit ; half the 

 thickness of the sheet of wool is sufficient to protect 

 it from injury, unless it happens to be very ripe, in 

 which case the wool should be used as it is. The 

 peach or nectarine should next be wrapped neatly in 

 tissue paper and placed in the box. When the box 

 is full, all space around the fruits must be carefully 

 filled with more wood wool ; place sufficient also upon 

 the top, that when the lid is put on the box, slight 

 pressure will have to be used in nailing it down, thus 

 making the packing so firm that oscillation or displace- 

 ment of the contents cannot possibly take place. A 

 word of caution may here be given against using too 

 many nails in fastening down the box. This only 

 causes useless labour and shaking of the fruit in un- 

 packing. A strong casfe (the ends fastened with iron 

 bands) large enough to hold three of the boxes of packed 

 fruit is provided. When well secured in this case it is 

 practically impossible for them to suffer even with the 

 rough usage they invariably, and, I am afraid, un- 

 shoot. Numbers give age avoidably, are subjected to at the hands of railway 

 ° ^°° ■ employes. Here I may say a word about returning 



empties. Non-attention to this work is the cause of endless trouble and 

 expense. True, it is in a degree out of the power and jurisdiction of the 

 gardener to control this, but he may do much by impressing on those in authority 

 the importance of not only returning the packages with despatch, but also the 

 packing material, which can be used over and over again. 



Theee-Yeae-Old Side 

 Branch 



[t] Point where bearing branch 

 was cut away after fruit 

 gathered ; [u) branch that 

 bore fruit last summer, and 

 cut away when fruit gathered ; 

 {v) successional bearing 



