i0 Grading of Fruit and Vegetables. 



Of these, the first four sizes are the most generally useful for 

 fruits, the others may be utilised for salads, light vegetables, or 

 flowers, but are hardly strong enough for the weight of fruit 

 such sizes would hold. 



Home-made boxes can be produced in any sizes to suit the 

 growers' requirements, but these here named have been tried 

 and proved satisfactory. Outside measurements are given, and 

 full space is allowed for packing materials : — 



Bushel — 



Sides 23! inches long x 9 inches deep. 

 Ends 16 „ „ X 9 ,, 

 Bottom and lid each in two pieces, 8 inches wide and 23^ inches long leaving a 

 slight space in the centre. 

 Half-bushel— 



Sides 17 inches long X 9 inches deep. 

 Ends ll| ,, ,, X 9 „ 

 Bottom and lid each in two pieces 6 inches wide and 17 inches long. 



Peck — This is made in three sizes to suit different classes of fruit. 



(1) . 



Sides n| inches long X 9 inches deep. 

 Ends 8i „ „ X 9 



(2) . 



Sides 16 „ X 6 ,, „ 



Ends 10 „ X 6 ,, ,, 



Sides 17 „ „ X 6 ,, 

 Ends 8 „ „ X 6 „ 



To follow these Nos. 1, 2, and 3 of the Railway Company's boxes 

 are convenient, where shallow packages are needed for softer 

 fruits. 



Various materials are available for packing purposes, but 

 much the best are the several grades of wood wool now pre- 

 pared, the coarsest being suitable for large packages and heavy 

 fruits, and the finest softest samples for the choicest and ripe 

 fruits. But wherever it is to be in contact even with apples and 

 pears only the softest make should be employed ; the rougher 

 samples can be used for the bottom, or filling up at the top. 

 All choice and delicate fruits should be encircled with bands of 

 folded soft tissue paper, having a glazed surface, which must be 

 in contact with the fruit. This is also required to place over the 

 top layers, but a stronger paper is used for unripe apples or 

 pears. 



