1921.] 



Grading and Packinc; of Fiuit. 



825 



can easily be filled and easily emptied, provided it is of sufficient 

 strengtli to protect the goods during the short journey in the 

 carts. For this class of carrier it is almost immaterial whether 

 it is a box, barrel, basket, or even a tray. Growers situated 

 at considerable distances from the shops, who are thereby com- 

 pelled to send their goods by rail to the markets, would select 

 packages strong enough to stand a long journey, easy 

 to handle, and liglit when empty, and this is probablv 

 the reason why baskets in preference to boxes have been 

 chosen. Growers situated in other countries wishing to 

 send their fruit to this country have other factors to consider, 

 the two most important of which are, that the fruit has to ])e 

 packed and held firm by the package to permit of no jolting 

 during the journey, and the package has to be of such «iize and 

 shape that when large numbers are stored in the ship's hold 

 there is the minimum loss in space. A rectangular wooden box 

 of some strength was suitable for this purpose — which is prob- 

 ably the explanation of its selection. 



This does not necessarily mean, or in any way prove, that 

 the wooden box is superior to the basket, but only that it is 

 superior for shipment. Insomuch, however, that before boxes 

 can be properly packed with fruit the produce must have under- 

 gone a most careful grading, and therefore in bulk presents 

 a good appearance v^hen purchased, they have become popular 

 in the English markets, and it is not unlikely that British 

 fruit growers may have to consider this feature, and to select 

 the box as the future package for some of the best varieties 

 of fruit. Financial consideration, of course, must be very 

 carefully considered ; the box is an expensive package and 

 it may be only possible to use it for expensive varieties 

 of dessert apples. Whether the price realised for culi- 

 nary varieties, except for the choice samples, would allow 

 growers to use boxes is a matter for further consideration. 

 Future experience alone will decide, but so far as can be seen 

 at present, larger wooden packages, such as half-barrels, would 

 appear to be the more economical package. 



In conclusion it has been proved that the present methods of 

 growing and marketing fruit, if persisted in will leave an easy 

 field in the British markets for imported apples. It should be 

 •the inunediate duty of all persons engaged in the industry to 

 co-operate to put this matter on a sound business l'>asis, so 

 that the grower, the wholesaler, the retailer, and the consume: 

 will all be satisfied with British grown fruit. 



