146 



Grading of Fruit and Vegetables. 



in the most satisfactory manner. Proofs of this defect are 

 evident in every British market, and commonly the produce of 

 the home grower may be seen in direct contrast with that of his 

 foreign competitors, to the conspicuous disadvantage of the 

 former. Jt is the purpose of the following notes to give some 

 directions that, with the exercise of intelligence in carrying them 

 out, may assist in improving the selling value of both fruits and 

 vegetables as produced in this country. 



Grading Fruits, 



To aid in performing this important but neglected operation 

 to the best advantage, we must assume that the preliminaries of 

 successful cultivation have received due attention. The selection 

 of the best varieties, suitable sites and soils, with every possible 

 care in protecting the trees from attacks of insects and diseases, 

 demand the cultivator's utmost skill and unceasing watchfulness. 

 Finally, in preparing for the actual work of grading, the methcd 

 and time of gathering should receive the strictest attention, or 

 much of the other labour will be reduced in value. It is not 

 sufficiently recognised how readily all fruits are injured by rough 

 handling. Even hard, unripe, apples and pears are soon bruised, 

 and not only do these marks show as serious defects in the 

 appearance of the fruits, but the keeping qualities are also 

 affected. The rough, old-time practice of shaking apples from 

 trees, or even knocking down those which cannot be easily 

 reached, are, it is hoped, almost obsolete now, yet, judging by 

 the condition of fruit consignments seen in our best markets, 

 some very similar method must still be adopted. It seems a 

 very commonsense view to take, that if fruits are worth the 

 labour and expense required to grow them to their full develop- 

 ment and maturity, they should also be worth the comparatively 

 little extra care needed in removing them from the plants and 

 preparing them for sale or use. The fact is, that if this attention 

 cannot be given, it is best to discard all idea of making fruit- 

 growing commercially successful in its fullest extent. 



Apples and pears should be placed in the baskets at the time 

 of gathering, not dropped in, as the contact between the fruits in 

 this way is a prolific source of bruises. This applies to both 



