10 JOUKNAL OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



" ' Section 2. — Grading. 



" ' Apples, whether packed in large or small packages, cannot be too 

 carefully graded. The best Apples should be graded by passing them 

 through rings, as follows : 



Best Cooking Apples. 



Above 3^ inches will be classed A 



,, 2J ,, to 3^ inches classed B 



» 2J „ 2J „ C 



Under 2J „ D 



Best Dessebt Apples. 



Above 2^ inches will be classed A 



„ 2J „ to 2J inches classed B 



» 2 ,, 2^ „ „ C 



Under 2 D 



" ' The grading of Pears must be done so that fruits fill standard 

 packages evenly. The test of correct grading must be the regularity 

 and good fit of the layer in the case, as Pears are sold by count, and 

 fruits should be graded so that they will pack in fixed counts of uniform 

 size. 



" ' The grading of soft fruits should be into large, medium, and small. 

 The grower should see that such fruits are properly sorted out into these 

 three sizes. 



" ' Section 3. — Packing. 



" ' It is recommended that in the case of very fine fruit — where it is of 

 sufficiently high quality to warrant special packing by count as well as by 

 grade — packages holding one, two, or three dozen selected Apples, Pears, 

 or Peaches be adopted. These packages can be bought as "nest " boxes. 

 It is also recommended that selected large Apples, Pears, or Peaches be 

 packed in single layers in flat baskets or boxes. These packages show 

 fine fruit off to great advantage. The 1-lb. box for forced Strawberries, 

 and the 1-lb. punnet for Strawberries, Raspberries, Cherries, Dessert 

 Gooseberries and Currants, are strongly recommended, the package being 

 of nominal cost, and punnets non-returnable, and made up so that it gets 

 a minimum of handling, and by its lightness always keeps fruit in the best 

 condition. One-lb. punnets should be packed in crates holding sixteen, 

 twenty-four, or thirty-two each, the top layer of punnets being covered 

 with a sheet of clean paper, and above that wood-wool. Where it is 

 desired to pack choice selected fruits in less quantities than 5-lb. packages, 

 the choice of package is left to the initiative of the grower. 



" ' In regard to Grapes and Melons no absolute standard can be iixed 

 for packages. It is recommended that strong, flat boxes with Grapes in 

 one layer be adopted, and that the finest wood-wool only be used for 

 packing Grapes, Melons, and Peaches. 



