BOTANICAL. INDEX, 
59 
Fig. 135. 
and precaution so necessary for other fruit. Fig. 134 
represents the ordinary handled grape box, manufac- 
tured by A. W. Wells & Co., St. Joseph, Michigan, 
which is very extensively used. Fig. 135 represents the 
the six-pound grape box, and Fig. 133 the twenty-four- 
pound grape shipping crate, made by the Cairo Box and 
Basket Co., of Cairo, 111. Of course, all these articles 
are made by other firms than those mentioned above, 
but, as they have been long in the business, their pat- 
terns and patents are recognized as of great value by all extensive shippers and 
growers, and as they always keep on hand a full line of Fruit Shippers’ Supplies 
of all kinds, we would recommend any one in need of their goods to correspond 
directly with them before ordering elsewhere. We would also respectfully call at- 
tention to the “Horticultural Directory” published in each number of the Index, as 
it contains a variety of business cards pertaining to floriculture and horticulture. 
In the next number of the Index we propose to give a short sketch of the pro- 
gress made each year in preparing fruit for the table, — both fresh, dried and pre- 
served — and shall be pleased to receive notes and estimates from manufacturers, as 
well as descriptions from inventors of the 
articles now in use for labor saving in this 
particular branch of industry; for it is very 
essential to have fresh fruit taken care of 
without any delay, in order to successfully 
compete With each other in the same business. 
With this explanation our friends in the bu- 
siness, as above stated, may expect to be 
troubled with questions which we hope will 
be cheerfully answered. Our limited space Fig- 136. 
will not allow of a satisfactory description of any of the new inventions, but we have 
had so much real pleasure in using Bunker’s Strawberry Huller, (Fig. 136) manufac- 
tured by A. S. Bunker, Lawrence, Mass., that we must notice it now, even if the 
season is so advanced that they will not be very useful this season. We have tried 
it to our own satisfaction and have no hesitancy in saying it must be a success, but 
cannot so well describe its value and working as by quoting from the American Ag- 
riculturist, which says : “Where strawberries grow with a distinct neck the op- 
eration of hulling is easy, and no aid is required to the fingers of the operator. But 
many varieties, especially those that produce very large berries, have the hull (or 
more properly speaking, calyx,) so closely attached to the fruit, that it is troublesome 
to remove it by the use of the finger and thumb, and when, as is often the case with 
the large berries, they grow in the “cockscomb” shape, the cal} r x is so malformed, 
and partly covered by the shoulders of the fruit, that it is impossible to remove it 
neatly without using a knife. It consists of a pair of forceps, or tweezers, of the 
form shown in the engravings; they are apparently of brass, and silver-plated. 
Fig. 137. 
Like most useful affairs, it is very simple, and its peculiar form allows it not only to 
save the fingers where the hulls present no especial difficulty, but with troublesome 
and coxcomed berries, it allows the calyx to be cut out neatly and quickly and leave 
the berries in a presentable condition.” Mr. Bunker has very kindly sent us his 
cuts to illustrate this article; one, Fig. 136, showing the huller, while Fig. 137 repre- 
sents the article in use. They are so very cheap, (ten cents each or ninety cents per 
dozen,) that we hope to see a good supply in every family, and know they will find 
plenty of use. 
