112 FRUIT CULTURE UNDER GLASS. 



it can neither slip down the slanting hoard nor roll 

 about. 



When more than one hunch is set up, the grape- 

 board must be of proportionate length. But it is 

 not desirable to have them longer at any time than 

 will hold three to four bunches, with sufficient space 

 between each to let them be properly inspected. 



It is always best to fix the bunches just as they 

 are cut from the vines, laying them on their flattest 

 side. In doing this it is never desirable to lift a 

 bunch after it is laid on the board, for it cannot 

 be easily done without more or less disturbing the 

 bloom of the grape. When all are fixed in their 

 places, fit what I shall call the exhibition platform 

 into a square box just wide enough to take it in, and 

 deep enough to clear the fruit when the lid is screwed 

 on. Then put a couple of screws through the box 

 from the outside into the back board of the platform, 

 and they cannot move. In conveying them, care 

 ■must be taken to keep the box level, and not to jolt 

 it severely. 



PACKING GRAPES. 



The packing of grapes to be sent long distances by 

 rail and other conveyances requires to be carefully 

 managed. There are many ways of packing them. 

 I have seen each bunch laid on a thick stiff sheet of 

 paper and folded up sufficiently tight to prevent the 

 bunch from moving about in the paper. They are 

 then packed closely in boxes deep enough to admit 

 a layer of paper-shavings under and over them, so 

 that when the lid of the box is fastened down each 

 parcel was held securely in its place. The stiffness 



