18 



Bulge. 



In the straight pack, before the lid is nailed on, the apples at either end of 

 the box should come up a little better than flush with the top. With the diagonal 

 the ends should be a little higher— about one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch 

 in all. Then from either end there should be a gradual bulge amounting at the 

 middle of the box to about one and one-half inches. Thus, when the lid is nailed on, 

 there will be a bulge of practically three-fourths of an inch each on top and bottom. 

 Less bulge is desirable with the straight packs on account of their unyielding 

 nature. There is no settling of the apples into the crevices as in the diagonal. 



The proper bulge is obtained, in the straight pack especially, by selecting 

 apples that are a trifle smaller for the ends. With apples that are being packed on 

 the cheek it sometimes becomes necessary to turn the end rows flat to secure the 



Fig. 6. Showing the proper bulge on hox nailed and ready for 



shipment. 



desired bulge, and, at the same time, have the ends low enough. This method of 

 turning has been previously discussed under the heading of " Straight Pack," so 

 needs no further explanation here. 



In the diagonal pack the small spaces left at the ends of each layer aid materi- 

 ally in securing the proper bulge. This, and pulling the apples tighter towards the 

 centre of each layer, is sufficient to give the necessary bulge in wrapped fruit. By 

 packing closer in the centre you close the pockets between the apples more, and the 

 next layer will not go so deep down in, and therefore builds up the centre. The 

 ends being left a little looser, the pockets are opened a little more and the apples 

 ■drop in further and therefore do not build up so high. Practice alone will give the 

 ■knowledge of just how tight to pack the centre or how loose to pack the ends. 



