There is no part of the business that requires closer attention than gathering and preparing the fruit for market. It should be assorted as picked, the prime berries put together, and the cullens kept separate. The baskets should be be well filled and rounded up - the berries placed close and even, with stems down, so that when in the crates the divisions above will press gently upon and keep them steady in place.

As the fruit grower is "no respecter of persons," but in the busy season employs men, women and children of all ages and denominations, whose object is to make the most they can, and as they are usually paid by the quart, every berry picked, whether good, bad or indifferent, will help to fill up the measure, and would be a loss to them if not put in the basket; so that it requires some moral courage for the pickers themselves to put the fruit up in the best condition for sale. To assist in this matter, we provide them with baskets of a different sue, in which to put the imperfect and faulty berries, so they will measure as much as if all were mixed together.

As the berries are brought in for packing, ten or twelve baskets on a tray, they are carefully examined, and at least one emptied in the presence of the pickers; if they turn out all right, they are paid in white tickets, - but if small, green and faulty berries are mixed among the prime ones, or they are not put up as directed, a blue ticket of less value is given, which has a salutary effect, as it is mortifying for them to receive a blue ticket, which is the signal of bad work, in the presence of others.

The system works beautifully; it is a constant stimulant for right doing. It don't hurt the best of hands to look after them, but is rather gratifying for them to know that their employers are aware of and appreciate their worth. And work that is not well done does not receive full pay.