64 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The keystone of success in adopting the foregoing system 

 lies in the use of dry, soft moss, the cheapest and best material 

 for general packing, and this should be forced down between 

 the sides of the box and the paper until it begins to form an 

 arch near the lid, when the boxes may be turned upside down 

 without injury to the Grapes. 



PACKING PEACHES AND FIGS. 



By Mr. W. Coleman, F.R.H.S. 



Here, as in the packing of Grapes, the secret of success consists 

 in the use of a soft, elastic material, which will keep each fruit 

 in its place until it reaches its destination. Various materials 

 have been recommended, such, for instance, as bran, wood-wool, 

 wadding, and moss, all of which I have used extensively in my 

 time, but for many years past I have confined myself to soft, 

 dry moss— the best and cheapest of all packing materials. If 

 properly beaten and prepared, it is soft and elastic, and never 

 heats in the boxes. Be careful in the use of bran — an excellent 

 thing if pressed very tight ; but having a tendency to sink in 

 bulk when shaken on the journey, the Peaches become loose, 

 separate from the packing, and arrive in a bruised and worthless 

 condition. Never use wadding — the worst of all packing materials 

 for soft, perishable fruit — as it absorbs moisture, becomes very 

 hard, and heats on the journey. Avoid using large boxes ; 

 24 x 14 x 4tj inches is a suitable size for twenty to twenty- 

 four fine fruits. Always have the lids in one piece, and cord 

 two or more boxes together. Place the direction-label and one 

 marked "Fruit with care, this side up," on the top, to be met at 

 the terminus. Always gather in close at the end of the week, 

 and never send away later than Friday morning. Although 

 Peaches may be sufficiently advanced for sending away, their 

 hold is too firm to admit of their being plucked from the tree 

 without injury by the pressure of the fingers ; but if a piece 

 of wadding be taken in the left hand, with which the Peach 

 is firmly grasped, and a pair of finely pointed scissors are used 

 with the right, it may be detached without being bruised. 

 It should then be placed on a piece of tissue-paper nine 



