158 



Grading of Fruit and Vegetables. 



baskets are sometimes padded, but are then always covered with 

 a soft glazed paper. The great point is to avoid rubbing the 

 surfaces of the berries and spoiling the " bloom," a character 

 which, in its perfection, adds much to the selling value, as it 

 does also with some plums. 



In every case, besides ensuring the security of the finest fruit, 

 endeavour to display it to the best advantage, and if the grade 

 is uniform, as advised, this can be done quite honestly by the 

 aid of a little coloured or white tissue paper to fold over the 

 sides when the box is opened, and by arranging the fruits with 

 the coloured side uppermost. The question of branding or 

 labelling must be considered, for where good fruit only is being 

 dealt with, the use of the words " Seconds " and " Thirds " is apt 

 to give rise to a misconception that is unfairly against the 

 seller's interest. For the finest samples, " Extra," " Select," or 

 'Special " may be employed. Some mark the next grade Ai, 

 and the next No. I, or if the letter X is employed, three 

 would be used for the first grade, two for the second, and one 

 for the third. Another method is to term the best Selected 

 No. i, and the other grades Selected No. 2 and Selected No. 3. 

 Something of this kind is needed to indicate that the lower 

 qualities are not refuse, but properly graded fruits. A grower 

 should adopt a uniform system, and adhere to it, so that his 

 brand may become known and have a market value, and every 

 package ought to have the name of the variety and quality 

 boldly printed on the label. Growers who intend to make a 

 substantial business, and who deal honestly in the best produce, 

 should have their own names on the packages. Some salesmen 

 object to this, but if a grower cannot make his business through 

 the ordinary channels he must try fresh ones. Endeavour to 

 supply the shopkeepers, or develop a trade with private 

 customers and send direct to them. The reduced rates at 

 .owner's risk on the railways, and the parcels post afford ample 

 means for enterprising men to work up a business in small 

 packages of choice fruits if they take the trouble to do so, either 

 by advertising, by circulars, or by trade letters. 



In packing vegetables most of the general advice already given 

 should be serviceable ; but these are disposed of in larger 

 quantities and therefore require a different class of packages. 



