1020 



Apple Packing. 



[JAN., 



the War pig keepers learned to use many foods which they had 

 neglected before, e.g, extracted palm kernel meal, roots and 

 refuse materials of all kinds. The practice of keeping pigs in the 

 open also increased during the War, and is to be commended. 



Supplies of Feeding: Stuffs. — ^The cereal supply has already been 

 referred to as regards millers' offals, maize and barley. The 

 supply of home-grown oats is about 3 million qr. greater than 

 the average supply available annuall}^ from 1909 to 191 3, for 

 though the yield in 191 9 wa,s poor a considerably larger average 

 had been sown. There seems no reason to anticipate serious 

 difficulty in importing any additional quantities that may be 

 required. 



The supplies of cakes of all kinds seem to show signs of im- 

 proving, and in many cases the prices on the market are below 

 the maximum. The chief difficulty is in distribution. 



The necessity for very careful grading and packing of fruit, 

 particularly apples, is continually being emphasised by all 

 sections of the fruit trade, including 



Apple Packing: at growers. Notwithstanding the fact that 

 the Eastern Counties ° . „ f . j j 



Commercial Fruit growers are fully aware of this need, and 



Show. although propaganda work continues 



unceasingly year after year, little 



progress is made. 



One of the best means of impressing backward growers of the 

 necessity for good packing is through commercial fruit shows, 

 such as those held recently at Maidstone, Cambridge, Chel- 

 tenham, Gloucester and Per shore. These Exhibitions of apples 

 packed on the best commercial lines enable growers to compare 

 their fruit, and the way it is packed, with their neighbour's. 

 Competitions of this description are invaluable as a means of 

 introducing and emphasising improved methods, and of 

 inducing their permanent adoption. 



It is regrettable that few growers are able to attend regularly 

 the large distributing markets such as London, Birmingham, 

 Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, etc., and see the condition of 

 their fruit on arrival, compare it with that of their competitors 

 at home and abroad, and become convinced of the increased 

 returns obtained from fruit which has been well packed and 

 attractively marketed compared with equally good samples 

 of fruit which are, however, bruised and badly put up. Were 

 this possible a great improvement would almost certainly soon 

 take place, but failing this, the Commercial Fruit Show provides 

 the best method of convincing growers. 



In order to illustrate the common faults met with in apple 

 packing, and to suggest and urge how these may be overcome, 



