Grading of Fruit and Vegetables. 



157 



In the actual work of packing, an even layer of wood wool is 

 placed at the bottom of the box or basket, this being covered 

 with a sheet of paper, and upon it the fruits to be disposed of are 

 placed firmly. The best plums, pears, or dessert apples should 

 never be in more than two layers, and in the smallest boxes 

 holding one layer they travel in the finest condition. If only 

 one layer of fruits is made, the packing material at the bottom, 

 and that at the top, besides the folded paper band round each 

 fruit, will be all that is essential ; but if there are two layers, 

 they must be separated by two sheets of paper, and sufficient 

 fine wood wool evenly spread to prevent injury to the lower 

 fruits, and form a firm bed for the upper ones to rest upon. 

 From one dozen to four dozens of the best dessert apples, pears, 

 or plums may be so packed in one box with safety for a long 

 journey. Peaches, nectarines, and apricots must always be in 

 single layers, and demand the utmost care. 



Strawberries can be packed in from 3 lb. to 6 lb. of selected 

 fruits, but the first-named quantity is the best for the finest fruit, 

 and No. 1 of the railway boxes just holds that amount con- 

 veniently, allowing for a little packing material at the top and 

 bottom, but use only leaves between the layers. The same size 

 box will hold 4 lb. of best cherries, 3 lb. of raspberries without 

 their stalks, 3 lb. red currants (closely packed), or 4 lb. of black 

 currants ; but the last two may be packed in 6 lb. to 12 lb. lots 

 if not too ripe ; the smaller quantities are, however, preferable 

 and safer. The finest early strawberries should be packed in 

 1 lb. punnets, which may be either deep or shallow, round- 

 plaited chip punnets, or square ones (with or without handles). 

 The round punnets are best packed in trays with lids, and those 

 generally employed will take six punnets. They are only used 

 for the earliest and choicest fruits, when prices are good. Crates 

 can be employed to hold several such trays, those large enough 

 for six being a convenient size and weight. The square punnets 

 are packed more closely together on sliding shelves, or in trays 

 like the others in crates. Grapes are packed in shallow or 

 handle baskets, the points of the bunches towards the centre 

 and the stalks secured to the sides or rims, the top of the basket 

 being covered with stout paper tied round the rim, or some 

 handle-baskets are fitted with lids. The sides and base of the 



