THE COMMERCIAL ASPECT OP HARDY FRUIT GROWING, 335 
grateful, as shown by the heavy clusters of fine Nuts, that will 
sell on the average at Sd. a lb. 
Packing Fruit. 
The method in which fruit is packed exercises more influence 
on the prices obtained than many growers seem to suppose, and 
there is plenty of room for vast improvement in this respect. Such 
fruit as Apples, Pears, and Plums ought to be carefully sorted, 
making it up into uniform samples, marking them as 1, 2, 3, or A, 
B, C, and taking care never to mix the varieties. By this means 
the buyer can see at a glance what he is purchasing, and is 
willing to pay an enhanced price for the fruit. 
The fraudulent practice of topping with the finest fruit should 
never under any circumstances be permitted, as it is a deliberate 
attempt to deceive, and is certain to bring its own punishment 
on the sender by giving him an evil reputation in the market. 
We have proved that perfect honesty in marketing fruit is the 
best policy, and pays by the higher prices obtained, our sales- 
man in Manchester writing that no fruit that goes into that 
market realises such prices or is so eagerly sought after by 
buyers. 
In addition to grading and honest packing, cleanliness should 
be insisted upon, and rigidly enforced, as fruit that appears clean 
in itself and in the package is appreciated by all purchasers, 
who will gladly pay more for the same than for fruit less 
attractive. 
Large packages are not advisable ; we find the " flat " answer 
best for Apples and the commoner varieties of Pears, and the 
half flat " for Plums, Cherries, and Currants. In each case 
the " flats " are lined with soft hay or bracken. This is covered 
with clean paper, and the fruit placed in layers therein until 
full. Paper is then placed over the top, with a little hay on the 
top again. The lid is then fastened down, labelled, and is ready 
to send away. Soft fruits are sold in punnets ; the finest fruit is 
selected for this purpose, and the bulk is sent in half sieves or 
half " flats," except Strawberries and Raspberries, which are sent 
in tubs, the salesmen in each case providing the packages if 
requested to do so. 
Manueing. 
The fruit grower of the future must manure more liberally 
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