176 JOURNAL 6f THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



sure to come off. I quite think that it is mainly attributable 

 to his unceasing energy that we have such a magnificent 

 show here to-day ; and when our Secretary does so much, we 

 all feel we must help as far as lies in our power, and although 

 Mr. Webber is not speaking here to-day, it is not for want of 

 interest in the matter, but only because he found it impossible 

 to be present ; but he has gone over the different points of 

 this paper with me, and his ideas agree with what I shall try 

 to lay before you. With this introduction I will at once proceed 

 to the subject. 



1. I propose in the first place to note how we pack now 

 compared with, say, twenty years ago. 



2. To compare our methods with foreign methods, in 

 respect of the same fruits. 



3. To see if we can improve our methods, especially 

 where we fail in comparison with foreigners. 



4. The great importance of keeping pace with the times, 

 in order to compete successfully with foreign trade. 



1. Twenty years ago Grapes used to be brought to market by 

 growers near London in punnets holding 2 lbs. to 4 lbs., or sent 

 by rail in all sorts and sizes of boxes. But as the trade grew 

 it was found impossible to sell the quantity in this way, and at 

 the present time the handle basket, holding on an average 12 lbs., 

 is found most suitable for Grapes that have to be transmitted by 

 rail, and the "shallow" in a "flat" for those grown near London 

 and sent in by vans. The grading is being continually im- 

 proved as the quantities increase, some senders making three 

 or four different samples of Grapes out of the same house, and 

 this is of tL? greatest help to the salesmen in obtaining the best 

 possible price, and in giving every customer the quality he re- 

 quires. 



Peaches used to come in punnets from local growers, and 

 in all sorts and sizes of boxes ; now we have a uniform box 

 containing from eighteen to thirty-six fruits, according to size, 

 and customers know how to order the sizes they want of dif- 

 ferent growers, and will often take them without even seeing 

 them. Before I leave Peaches I should like to make one 

 suggestion to growers for market, and that is, to bear in mind 

 that we want colour as well as size ; the proportion of pale 



