io4 THE BOOK OF MARKET GARDENING 



round form, holding about I lb., being usually pre- 

 ferred, as showing the fruit to the best advantage. The 

 square chip punnets, with or without handles, are 

 convenient for packing, but as a rule they do not sell 

 so readily as the others. Round punnets, neatly set off 

 with leaves at the sides and well selected Strawberries 

 tastefully arranged, are very tempting, and if presented 

 in good form invariably bring good prices, but much 

 care is required in the carriage. For this method of 

 packing Strawberries, shallow trays are needed that will 

 just take six punnets, but these must be made firm with 

 some material at the ends or sides, as if there is much 

 shaking in transit the appearance is soon spoiled. Some- 

 times cases are used into which the trays are passed like 

 drawers, and this offers some advantages in the direction 

 of safety ; but the cases are heavy for moving about, 

 and an accident means disaster to the whole consign- 

 ment. 



When punnets of ripe fruits have to be sent a long 

 distance by train, the results are apt to be unsatisfactory. 

 Owing to this fact there are some districts in which 

 Strawberries are largely grown, but at a distance from 

 populous towns, where punnets have been entirely dis- 

 carded in favour of small boxes or baskets that take 

 from 3 lb. to 6 lb. each. It is claimed that the net 

 profits are greater in this method, taking the frequent 

 losses by damage, the extra labour, and cost of carriage 

 into consideration. Under such circumstances this con- 

 clusion is no doubt correct, but we have increased the 

 acreage return of a Strawberry crop so materially by the 

 utilisation of the best early fruits for sale in punnets, 

 that whenever buyers can be found within a reasonable 

 distance the system is too important to be disregarded. 



In arranging Strawberries in punnets, the appearance 

 is greatly improved by placing the fruits so that the 

 points are in one direction, and with the bright side 



