BOTANICAL INDEX. 
57 
is seldom done, consequently, they usually hold 
only one- fifth of a bushel. Fig. 117 shows the 
Michigan Fruit Basket, as manufactured by the 
Union Bag and Paper Co., of 53 <fc 55 Michigan 
Avenue, Chicago, 111., which, for many years, 
was the form adopted by the Michigan fruitgrow- 
ers. The baskets, when filled with fruit, were 
always covered with a piece of tarleton, millinet 
or mosquito bar, of various colors, principally 
green or some of the shades of red; the brightest 
scarlet, however, gives the fruit a much richer appearance than any other color. 
Fig. 118 shows an improvement adopted by A. W. Wells & Co., of St. Joseph, Mich., 
on the old form of open baskets. It is the so-called Rail Road Cover, made of the 
same material as the basket, and fitting it nicely, and which, when securely fastened 
by wire or strong cord, facilitates the handling and storing. To 
meet the further demand for a convenient basket, A. W. Wells & 
Co. have added a wire handle sixteen inches long, hooked at each 
end through the rim of the basket. (Fig. 119). This enables the pur- 
chaser to carry it with ease, which is always an inducement to take 
something home as a pleasant surprise. The dealer usually refunds 
a small sum of money for the return of the basket, which lie returns 
to the fruit grower in nests similar to Figs. 129 and 131. For small 
Fio. mi. fruit the bushel drawer is very extensively used, especially, around 
Cincinnati, for each locality has its own particular pattern. The drawers are 
two inches deep, and carry Plums, Cherries, &c., very satisfactorily, and, as they 
can he packed in a frame together, they are well ventilated, are easily handled and 
occupy only a small space, which is a very important item to shippers. We must 
Fig. 120. Hallock's Patent Qt. Box , in flat, band 
and bottom. 
Fig. 1.20 Leslie's Patent Qt. Box , in flat , band 
and bottom. 
Fig. 121. Ilallock'. 
Qt. Box. 
say, however, these drawers are very unsatisfactory 
to retail dealers and buyers of choice, soft fruit, such 
as Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, &c., as the 
berries usually present a bruised appearance when P 
prepared for the table, caused, in a great measure, by 
the extra handling or difficulty of getting them from 
the drawers. The most satisfactory mode of shipping 
small fruit is in small baskets and boxes, usually hold- 
ing one quart ; however, some hold only a pint. Several patterns are now in use 
— all good — and it would be almost impossible to praise one more than another. 
Figs. 121 and 123 represent two patterns of quart boxes, manufac- 
tured by the Box and Basket Co., of Cairo, 111. These boxes are 
made of one-fifth inch lumber, and are prepared, at their factory, 
for folding together and fastening by the fruit grower; and, while 
in the unfin- 
ished condi- 
tion, shown at 
Figs. 120 and 
Fig. 124. 122, they occu- 
py so small a space that it costs 
only a trifle to ship tltem by ex- 
press to all parts of the country. 
Berries carry with perfect safety 
in these boxes, and are presented 
to the consignee in excellent con- 
dition. Another new and very 
practical berry box and fruit bas- 
ket (Fig. 124) is made by the 
Union Bag & Paper Co., Chicago, 
111., and is made of water-proof 
