SELECTING PACKAGES 



115 



Elberta bears little the third year and moderately at four 

 years. Some varieties, as Greensboro, may bear marketable 

 quantities the third year. 



2. Selecting Packages. The bushel basket is gaining favor 

 as a market package in most sections (Fig. 46) . It is the pre- 

 vailing package in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Texas, Mis- 

 souri, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. It is used exten- 

 sively in Georgia and other sections, especially for the firmer 

 varieties, including Elberta. The ease and rapidity with which 

 it may be packed commend it. 



The tub-type bushel basket is used increasingly. Round- 

 bottom baskets are also used extensively, and half-bushel 

 baskets to some extent. 



The Georgia carrier is suitable for some varieties and in 

 some markets. On the whole, however, it is being displaced by 

 the bushel basket. It is especially desirable for tender varie- 

 ties of fine appearance and high quality and for those shipped 

 long distances. It is used quite extensively in the Georgia belt, 

 and to a small extent in some Maryland, Delaware, and Jersey 

 peach sections. 



The carrier is 22 inches long by 11 inches wide and 10 to 

 10^4 inches deep, inside measurements, holding two layers of 

 4-quart till baskets, three baskets in each layer or six per 

 carrier. Ends, sides, and top are each of one piece. The bas- 

 kets are 11 inches by 5i/^ inches wide at bottom and 7% inches 

 wide at top, preferably with round corners. A wood divider 

 separates the layers and relieves the fruit in the lower layer 

 from the pressure above. When packed, the carrier weighs 

 from 44 to 50 pounds. The carrier comes from the factory 

 '^knocked down'^ and must be assembled by the grower. 



A common package is still the Jersey or Delaware 16-quart 

 splint basket, though the capacity sometimes varies. It is 

 acceptable for local trade, but is not satisfactory for other 

 markets. It is not sufficiently strong or rigid in itself to afford 

 much protection to a fruit that needs considerable. It is easily 

 upset. It is too easily tossed or thrown about, for there is such 



