PACKING PEACHES AND FIGS. 



65 



inches square, and laid in a shallow basket containing a 

 good bed of moss. When gathering, which should always 

 be performed in the morning, is finished, prepare the boxes 

 by lining the sides and ends with paper, allowing the half of 

 each sheet to hang over the sides for turning over the top 

 when all is finished. Then place a good layer of moss evenly 

 over the bottom, slightly elevate one end, and commence by 

 folding the fruit in the sheets of paper on which they are 

 resting. Shake a little moss along the lower end of the box, 

 and place the first Peach in the left-hand corner, keeping it in its 

 place with the left hand ; follow with more moss and fruit, never 

 removing the hand until the first row of four fruits is finished ; 

 form a division with more packing, and proceed until the box is 

 full. Each Peach will then be resting in a soft bed of moss, an 

 inch from the bottom, and the same distance from the adjoining 

 fruits. Continue the introduction of packing until every fruit is 

 quite firm in its place ; spread a layer of moss over the top, turn up 

 the half sheets, and put on the lid. A little judgment is needed in 

 putting on the last layer of moss, as safety in transit depends upon 

 the tightness secured in putting on the lid. If moss cannot be 

 obtained, and bran is used, the boxes should be well lined with 

 plenty of paper to turn over the top, to prevent it from working 

 out. Make a good bed, as fruit is often spoiled by being placed 

 too near the bottom ; place all the Peaches on this bed, keeping 

 them half an inch from the sides and an inch apart ; fill up with 

 bran and shake it down, but do not trust to shaking only, as 

 shaking on the railway soon reduces the bulk, and in nine cases 

 out of ten, where bran is used, the Peaches work up to the top 

 or one end, and the bran going in another direction, they arrive 

 in a bruised condition. An abundance of bran should be worked 

 into the corners and between the fruit, and well pressed down 

 with the fingers until every part is firm, and a little higher than 

 the sides of the box ; then turn over the paper and nail down the 

 lid. When packing for market, always make "firsts" and 

 " seconds," and place record of quantity on the lid. 



When large ripe Peaches have to be packed for immediate 

 use, they should be gathered a day or two before they are wanted, 

 and placed upon squares of paper on hair sieves. Great care 

 must be observed in moving them, with pads of wadding in the 

 hands, and an extra quantity of moss should be placed under 



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