The Florida agriculturist., 1907-11-27
FOR MORE CAREFUL PACKING.
By N. o. Penny.

for quality, not tor mere beauty alone
but for service also We are living in
an age where money is plenty, and
people are free spenders, because they
have it to spend Do we, the orange
growers, properly appreciate this fact?
I think not What are we doing? We
are trying to increase our acreage and
Our output Instead we should strive
to improve the quality of Our present
output both in flavor and appearance,
and not only the fruit but also the
package containing the fruit, and even
the wrapper of that fruit should be so
constructed and designed as to enhance
the appearance and the attractiveness
of the fruit it contains, and should be
SO planned and arranged that the fruit
as it appears on the market will appeal
to the eye as we'll as the taste OF the
most fastidious buyers.
To these ends I would offer the fol-
lowing suggestions: First, that the
grower so arrange his property that he
will have no more than he can properly
attend to, and then plan and study how
he can get the largest possible crops
each year. 1t is a we'll known fact
that large crops, or perhaps I should
say heavy crops, are always the best
fruit in appearance, and usually in
flavor. Therefore, he should give care
full consideration to the fertilizers with
these points in view: How can [ Sc
cure better crop, better in flavor,
better in appearance, better in size,
both Of fruit and number of boxes,
with less damage from insect enemies
and other loss; l will also say that a
we'll cared for and nourished tree will
withstand cold much better than one
that is poorly nourished.
The demands of the market should
be carefully studied in each particular
line, more especially, the varieties and
sizes most desired. Also the question
Of fertilization with regard to carrying
qualities should be given careful at
tention. 1t will also be we'll to men
ton that the methods of management
and time Of cultivation have a marked
influence on quality as we'll as quantity
and appearance of fruit
Along with these the careful grower
will look to the proper making OF his
boxes, that they are we'll nailed and
neatly made, and neatly stenc1led with
his own particular mark or brand. AL
SO that the size, grade, etc., is correctly
stenciled on each according to the
contents; that there are no pencil
markings but that stencil is used for
all marks.
He will supply nicely printed wraps
for the fruit; see that the fruit is prop
erly cleaned, washed if necessary, and
if washed, dried before packing; that
the fruit is properly sized, graded and
packed; that only one size or grade
goes into each box, and that all frur
is very carefully handled at all times
until it leaves his care.
And, above all things, he should To-
. cate a man or firm, if the fruit is con-
signed, that can handle his crop to
advantage, and ship to him and him
only, and year after year go see him if
need be and get on friendly terms with
him-get your confidence in him and
get his confidence in you. 1t will pay
you to attend to this and pay you we'll
Ship to him year after year, build up
your trade with his customers, create
demand in his market for your goods,
create demand that is so large that
you cannot supply it, and after it is
created hold it by keeping up to the
standard set.
This is the way money is made in
the orange business in these days. and
the field is very large and opportunity
is open to all. It is not the men that
are shipping the most fruit that are
making the most money! but the ones
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