10 



and fifty miles, and sold out and cases returned. For near markets we used the small 

 square quart box. made by ourselves, and also described herein. These cases and 

 boxes, however, have "seen their day," and have been supplanted by the later im- 

 provements in quart and pint boxes. They are light and durable, and so cheap, that 11 lost, 

 they can be replaced with but little expense. For near markets, strong slat cases can 

 be made to hold thirty-five, forty-five or sixty baskets. For distant markets, where 

 the Express Company charge for returning the empty cases, they can be shipped m a 

 cheap slat case, to hold forty-five to sixty quarts, that will not cost over twenty to 

 thirty cents. These need not be returned, except what is necessary to hold the bas- 

 kets when "nested" together, and if the grower has a good supply of boxes, and is in 

 no hurry t3 have the empty boxes returned, he can order them returned as freight, if 

 the Express Company charge too much for returning them. 



These boxes are a great improvement on the old style of cases, for two or three rea- 

 sons. 1st. Fruit carries better in them, not getting so bruised and mashed. 2d. Air 

 has free passage among them, so that they can be shipped five hundred to.a thousand 

 miles without spoiling. 3d. It appears to so much better advantage on the fruit stands 

 in those neat, clean looking baskets and boxes, that many are induced to buy who 

 would uot if they were rusty, dirty looking drawers and boxes. 



And, too, these boxes can be used a number of times by having them nested together 

 and returned as described, all the expense being the loss of the cheap case they are 

 shipped in. The further the fruit is to be shipped, the more baskets will be required 

 to market the crop, as it takes longer to go and come. It is best to always be supplied 

 with plenty of boxes, for if they are not all'used they will come right the next season. 

 An acre of Strawberries 'that i's in good condition, will require at least one thousand 

 quart boxes, where the fruit is to be sold near by, but if it is to be shipped one hund- 

 red to two hundred miles away, at least two thousand should be procured for each 

 acre. Keep the fruit picked oyer every day, if possible, so that it will not get over- 

 ripe. Still, we have made it a practice in our large plantation to pick half of the plan- 

 tation each day. If the fruit is to be shipped a long distance, it is better to pick it 

 every day as fast as it ripens or cblors, for if left on the vine after coloring long, the 

 surface is more apt Jo be bruised by marketing, 



It is the practice with many to have two sets of boxes in every picking case, putting 

 the largest and finest fruit in one, and the smaller and poorer in the other. The smaller 

 fruit will sell for enough to pay the expenses of the plantation, while the larger, if 

 sent to some of the larger cities, where they appreciate first-class fruit, and are willing 

 to pay accordingly, will sell for as much or more than all the fruit, large and small, 

 superior and interior, picked and marketed all together. 



If possible, notify your agent a day in advance, of the amount he may expect from 

 you, and if a storm should come up that will prevent your picking, telegraph him, so 

 that he will not engage berries on the strength of your notice the day previous. 



Keep up a regular rotation of as many kinds cf fruit as you can throughout the en- 

 tire season, if you desire to keep up a good reputation with your commission merchant, 

 for they will take pains to do the best by those who supply them the most regularly 

 for the longest time. Ship clean, evenly ripened fruit, in clean, neat looking baskets 

 or boxes, with your name on each box and case, and no trouble need be apprehended 

 but what your fruit will sell for paying prices, even if the market is largely supplied. 



Send each day by mail invoice of shipment, and require prompt returns and reports 

 from the consignor. 



Do not pick the fruit when wet by clew or rain, unless it is positively necessary, from 

 frequent showers, to prevent too many ripening up. Take from the field to market or 

 cars in a spring wagon, and have them handled carefully and kept " right side up." 



GATHERING THE FRUIT. 



"We usually employ women, and large boys and girls— the former, however, pre- 

 ferred.' Each takes a row, and picks it clean before being allowed to take another. 

 One good, quick person takes charge of them, keeping each on their row, and passing 

 occasionally behind them to see if they are picking them clean and properly. One per- 

 son takes charge of the boxes as,they are brought in, watching to see if stems, green 

 fruit and leaves are among the berries, and if so, the picker is paid less for picking, 

 that case. Another person has an alphabetical tally book, with the names of all pickers 

 alphabetically arranged, andas each picker comes in, their name is called out by the 

 receiver, and repeated by the book-keeper, so that there will be no mistake mudrf 



