MARKETING FRUIT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1382, 7 March 1912, Page 8

MARKETING FRUIT.

GRADING AND PACKING. One of the most important questions connected with the fruit industry, that of grading and packing, is dealt with by Jtr. W. A. Boucher, Assistant Director of tile Orchards Division of the Agricultural Department, in his latest leaflet dealing with the orchard and fruit garden. In view of an export trade in apples ami pears, at any rate, Mr. Boucher says the general adoption of cases of uniform shape ami capacity is most desirable. The degree of perfection attained in the handling of fruit in other fruit-exporting countries will 110 doubt be emulated by the growers throughout the Dominion j for it is obvious that, if the best values are to be obtained, the mcthflds of handling the fruit prior to packing, the grading, packing, and the appearance of the cases when opened up for sale, must be equal to those of other fruit-exporting countries, with the produce of which our fruit is likely to como into competition in the world's markets. Bruising of fruit, either before or while packing, is always undesirable, but especially so when the fruit is destined for long-dis-tance transit in cool storage, for, in the case of some varieties particularly, every bruise, however slight, becomes a distinct blemish, which, oven if it does not cause actual decay, detracts considerably from the market value, the best class of trade declining to handle bruised or blemished fruit. In tho gathering and packing of fruit for cool storage or export it is important to note that not only should every care bo taken to avoid bruising, but that the fruit should be carefully selected. It inay be as well to point out, — (1) That immature fruit shrivels. (2) That fully ripe and overripe pears havo proved a completo failure in cool storage. (3) That apples, which when ripe are of soft texture,, should bo gathered for cool storage before becoming fully ripe. In the ease of the Williams's Bon Chretien pear destined for the cool cliamber, this variety must bo picked green and placed in the chamber as soon as possible after being gathered. With regard to apples it may bo accepted as a general, rule that the best results arc derived when the fruit is allowed to mature and colour well.' but. is gathered a shado' on the green side not fully ripe.