Grading of Fruit and Vegetables. 



tion in uniform grading. Several quantities can be usually 

 obtained from one crop, and it generally pays best to sell in two 

 or three grades, only those rejected in the selecting process being 

 disposed of in bulk. Even when large crops from old orchard 

 trees are being dealt with, a few dozens of the finest fruits care- 

 fully packed will help to raise the total returns consider- 

 ably. 



Stone fruits may be selected in various grades. Plums for 

 cooking can thus be sorted into two or three grades, the largest 

 fruit commanding the best market. A good medium size is in 

 demand for bottling,and the smaller sizes are utilised in ordinary 

 cooking or preserving. Dessert plums and cherries are readily 

 graduated on the same method, the finest in boxes or small 

 packages and the others in bulk. 



Soft fruits, such as strawberries and raspberries, are worthy of 

 equal care, the former being sorted into at least two grades and 

 sometimes into more. The best are placed in punnets, the next 

 in small boxes, and a third grade can be sold in boxes or 

 baskets holding from 6 lb. to 12 lb. Raspberries may be con- 

 veniently divided into two qualities whenever a special sale can 

 be commanded for the best fruits either in punnets or small 

 boxes. 



Nearly all other fruits also admit of some grading, even 

 though it be only to the extent of excluding defective and mal- 

 formed specimens ; the results yield a satisfactory reward for the 

 labour and expense. 



Grading Vegetables. 



The benefits derivable from careful and systematic grading are 

 by no means confined to fruits, as vegetables also afford con- 

 siderable encouragement to those who strive to make the most 

 of them in the same direction. Especially is this the case with 

 root crops, though in a general way the sorting adopted is of a 

 very rough character. Potatoes, for example, are usually picked 

 up in three sizes, the large tubers for sale, the seconds or sets, 

 and the small tubers to be used as food for stock. The large 

 size should be again sorted into two or three grades ; it is with 

 them as with apples, a comparatively small proportion of coarse 

 irregular tubers spoil the appearance of a large consignment. 



