GRADING FOR PROFIT 



large quantities are produced, and we have seen thousands 

 of waggon-loads of hundredweight bales despatched 

 thence to many districts, for this substance is employed 

 for many purposes besides packing fruits. The four 

 grades in most general use vary in price from 4s. 9d. to 

 6s. 9d. per cwt., and we greatly prefer the last on 

 account of its fineness, whiteness, and odourless char- 

 acter. All the grades are said to be cut from white 

 " pulp-wood," the lightest timber in use for the work, 

 that generally employed being heavy " fire- wood " 

 which affects the weight considerably. Some makers 

 turn out a quantity of a very fine quality termed 

 Aspen-wood-wool, which is more expensive than the 

 above named but extremely light. Some which we 

 have used for years has not weighed more on the 

 average than 12 ozs. to I lb. per bushel. The cost and 

 weight are therefore insignificant additions to any 

 package, while the advantage is considerable. 



Even when the most expensive brands are employed, 

 such as that which under the name of " Continental 

 White Wood-wool" is sold as high as 40s. per cwt., 

 the substance is so extremely light and fine that abund- 

 ance is allowed for an ordinary sized package at the cost 

 of |d. An experienced fruit-growing friend in Kent 

 claims to have sent over 10,000 peaches packed in this 

 grade within a short period, without having one fruit 

 damaged, a record that also speaks well for his judg- 

 ment in gathering the fruits and his skill in packing. 

 Cotton-wool or wadding is not in so much favour, as the 

 wood-wool has proved more efficient in its elasticity. 

 This property wadding possesses in a very small degree, 

 and it is apt to become "dead" or compressed, so that 

 the contents of the package are loosened, however much 

 care may be exercised in the filling. When employed at 

 all it should be used in the sheets as bought with the 

 smooth side outwards, but as a general rule it is prefer- 



