PACKING FRUIT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8248, 15 August 1887, Page 3

PACKING FRUIT.

(,4mariV*n Agvicv.lt uri'at.)

Those who grow produce for market do not need to be ffcold of the importance of neat and proper packing to secure ready sales and the best prices. The farmer sometimes has a crop, such as an unexpected crop of early apples, that he would gladly turn into money; hut he is nob provided with baskets for packing his fruit, and if sent in barrels the fruit would arrive in bad order and bring low prices. To such the bushel crate comes as a ready resource. A bushel crate is easily made, and forms a neat and handy package for nearly all kinds of produce. To make a bushel crate there are required three pieces, each Sin x Min, for the ends and, centre piece; the strips or laths for the sides are 2ft long. The width of these depends upon the article to be packed. Sixteen strips are commonly used, with spaces between for ventilation. Often the corners of the end and middle pieces are cut off; this makes the crate octagonal in shape, which is an advantage, as it allows of better ventilation when the crates are stacked together. In building the crate the two strips at the top are not nailed down, to allow an opening through which to fill it. In packing in crates, as in barrels, they are to be shaken to settle the contents, which should project slightly at the top to require some pressure to bring down the last slats, which serve as a cover into place. Vegetables and fruits ehoulc always be packed with pressure, otherwis« they become bruised and injured generally in transit*