120 
THE HOME GARDEN. 
is desired. The profits, however, from small quantities, 
which, owing to extra size and ornamental appearance, 
bring an exceptionally high price, are quite as great, with¬ 
out the care and trouble, as those realized from more ex¬ 
tensive operations. 
Putting up the fruit for market is a process in which 
care and expense are sure to pay, and a fruit dealer in West¬ 
ern New York is said to obtain on an average a dollar 
more for his half-barrel packages of assorted pears, sent to 
New York market, than his neighbor who sends equally 
good pears. The only difference is that the first one lines 
his barrels with large smooth sheets of white printing 
paper, but the other said it did no good and he did not 
want the trouble. But the fruit when opened looked much 
better for the paper, and was probably somewhat protected 
from bruising. 
Careful putting up, which shows a respect for the fruit, 
inspires a like respect in others, and purchasers of the best 
assortments, to whom money is no objecf, will cheerfully 
give for handsome, attractively packed fruit three or four 
times the price asked for that of inferior quality carelessly 
put up. In this respect, at least, the proprietor of a very 
small garden-plot may successfully compete with the owner 
of broad acres. 
Some excellent advice for keeping fruit in marketable 
condition is given as follows : “ The greatest secret in keep¬ 
ing fruit properly is that of an even, cool temperature, 
slightly above the freezing point, with very little variation. 
It is still a doubtful point whether a dry or a slightly moist 
atmosphere is the better condition to preserve fruit plump 
and sound, the former being generally adhered to, while 
some interesting experiments with the latter mode have re¬ 
sulted in entire success. Shelves placed in the fruit room 
or closet answer an excellent purpose, as small lots of some 
varieties may then be spread out evenly and thinly, and, as 
