FOR PROFIT. 129 



The result is that there is only one, or at most, two 

 layers, that arrive at their destination in good order. 

 If the same fruit were packed in bushel or cwt. barrels, 

 the bruising is necessarily much less, and thus sells 

 better. Dessert Apples are best packed in half-sieves, 

 or in boxes." 



Soft fruit for London Markets must of necessity be 

 sent in baskets, as they give some air; in boxes such 

 fruit would heat in transit. They are made up to a 

 regular weight thus : — 24-lb. Currants ; 24-lb. Goose- 

 berries, if ripe, 20-lb ; special very early green berries 

 are best marketed in pecks of 12-lb.; Cherries and 

 Plums, 24-lb. ; the baskets being extra weight. In 

 other counties they are sold by the " pot," and by 

 other methods. A " half" is a circular flat basket, 

 io inches high, and 13 inches over inside. In packing 

 all soft fruit a cheap paper is used, called " Fruit 

 Paper," (Double Smallhand), costing, wholesale, 1/6 

 to 3/- per ream for " whitey-brown," and 3/9 for blue 

 paper ; but newspapers can be utilized. The sides of 

 the basket and the base are lined with paper, and 

 half a sheet projects over the sides sufficiently to allow 

 the two ends to lie over one another when turned 

 back, to screen the top fruit and keep it clean ; some 

 litter, either pea haulm, rough hay, straw, or mixed 

 litter from field sides, is then placed over the paper, 

 the whole secured by two sticks, pointed at the ends, 

 which are stuck into the upper rounds of the baskets 

 below the rim in the form of a cross; these sticks 

 rise a little above the level of the fruit, and protect 

 it from the weight of other baskets, while the bottom 

 of the "half" being rather hollow, they pack firmly 

 one on the other. It is the opinion of many growers 

 L 



