GRADING FOR PROFIT 85 



on the top of each other without injuring the contents. 

 Against them it is urged, first, that they are expensive ; 

 secondly, that the larger sizes are not so strong as the 

 round baskets, and they are therefore more liable to 

 damage ; thirdly, that in rough market usage the lids 

 are apt to be separated and lost. The cost can be 

 reduced by ordering large quantities at a time, and well 

 in advance of the season when they will be needed ; or 

 a still greater reduction can be effected if the baskets 

 are made on the growers' premises from home-grown 

 willows. Sufficient strength can be ensured in the 

 manufacture if the defects are duly pointed out, and the 

 lids may be firmly secured with cane hinges (or even 

 with wire), so that the risk of loss is very small. We 

 have tried flat baskets of the kind described for some 

 years, in comparison with open ones of the round or 

 square types, and greatly prefer them for most produce 

 where it is advisable to employ baskets. 



Handle baskets with lids that slip over the handle are 

 now much used for grapes, tomatoes, choice plums, and 

 other fruits of value ; but they are rather expensive, 

 being well made of the best white willow, and they must, 

 therefore, be always booked or charged when sent. 

 They are both neat and convenient, and help the sale 

 of produce by their appearance. The same may be said 

 of the so-called " baby baskets," used for the best home- 

 grown grapes, as in these shallow tray-like forms the 

 fruit is seen to the best advantage when well packed 

 and secured ; the bunches can also be placed in the 

 fruiterer's windows without handling until sold to the 

 consumer. 



Crates are largely used in the southern markets for 

 Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Kale, and similar vegetables: they 

 are from 3 to 4 feet high, of varying width, tapering 

 somewhat to the base, as lightly constructed as possible 

 consistent with the requisite strength. They should 



