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eastern fruit when placed in boxes, compares very favorably with 

 the western boxed fruit. 



The sales indicate a growing demand for boxed fruit. While 

 on the demonstration fruit train, which ran through the fruit grow- 

 ing sections of New York, a commercial orchardist stated to me 

 that he had received $2 per box for his Dutchess apples this season. 

 A commercial grower in the Hudson Valley sold some fancy apples 

 for $3 per box (f. o. b.), local railway station. What these men 

 have done, others can do, if proper care and attention is given the 

 selection of the fruit. 



Those who are unfamiliar with western methods wonder why 

 it is that the growers are able to receive such large prices for their 

 fruit each year. It is a well known fact that they have been and 

 are receiving as much per bushel box as the eastern growers are re- 

 ceiving per barrel — 3 bushels. This fact is especially true in the 

 London and Liverpool markets. 



The reasons are obvious. The English buyers know that every 

 apple is uniform in size and shape. They can depend upon the 

 western boxed fruit as to quality. Thus they can afford to handle 

 this fruit at a much narrower margin of profit than apples in barrels. 



What has been done in the West can be done here in the East. 

 Right here in this locality, if the progressive growers will band 

 together. This organization is a step in the right direction. 



From what observations I have made in New York and also in 

 Pennsylvania, I find that you can grow the fruit. Your exhibition 

 has demonstrated that fact. The color of your fruit is excellent. 

 The next problem is the placing of this fruit on the market in the 

 most profitable way. The solution to this question, I believe, will 

 be the adoption of the bushel box. 



This morning I will give a practical demonstration in the box- 

 ing of fruit, as is practiced on the Pacific Coast. Such points as 

 picking and grading will also be briefly discussed. 



When to Pick. 



The time to pick the Spitzenburg, or any red apple is usually 

 ascertained by its color. Many growers make the mistake in picking 

 ihetr fruit too green. Fruit lacking in color is usually a drug on 

 the market. With flesh colored apples, like the Newtown, etc., the 

 time of picking is regulated by the coloring of the seeds. In general 

 though, any variety is ready to be picked when the stem separates 

 readily from the spur. The breaking off of the spurs should never 

 be tolerated. 



Orchard Boxes. 



Just before the harvest begins the orchard boxes are scattered 

 along the rows. This avoids unnecessary delay in the operations. 



Member. What is the shape of those orchard boxes? 



Answer. Similar to the box the fruit is packed in. They 

 hold about a bushel, and are made of a little heavier material than 

 the packing box. Cleats are placed on the ends, so that the boxes 

 can be piled one upon the other. I do not advocate the use of the 

 packing box for orchard purposes ; new clean boxes are preferable 

 for the marketing of the fruit. Put a dirty box, filled with apples 



