PACKING AND GRADING APPLES 75 



Fifth: The financial returns will be greater. 



The question of "What shall be packed" is one that causes much 

 discussion but I believe that only the best fruit should be packed 

 iu boxes, tor the cost of boxes is a bar to the packing of low grade 

 and imperfect fruit. 



Three grades are usually made based on the quality of the 

 fruit. First, extra Fancy, being composed of perfect specimens of 

 high color; the second, or fancy, are perfect specimens, but under the 

 standards in the point of color. Third, known as C grade, are com- 

 posed of all merchantable apples not included in the other two. 



However uniformity is of the greatest importance in the pack. 

 The lack of uniformity and size makes it impossible to get perfect 

 alignment and firmness in pack. And a poorly packed box is worse 

 than no pack at all. Alfo uniformity in color is necessary if the 

 highest price is sought for. A box composed of a mixture of extra 

 fancy, and fancy apples will not command as high a price, as a 

 straight box of fancy apples. 



There are two styles, or better, sizes, of apple boxes in use at 

 the present time. One the Oregon Special, ten and a half by eleven 

 and a ha'.f, by eighteen. The other, Canadian Standard, ten by 

 eleven by twenty. 



In either case the box material should be composed of good 

 material, snd of the following sizes. Ends should be of three fourths 

 inch stock, one piece and spruce if possible. Never use paneled 

 ends as they pull apart. " 



The sides should be of three eighths inch stock; the tops and 

 bottoms of one fourth inch stock, in two pieces. This is to allow for 

 the bulge, and to give a fir*m brt not bruising pressure. 



The tops and bottoms should be reinforced by cleats to pre- 

 vent splitting, and the cleats should be soaked in water. 



As accessories to the packing, corrugated or cushioned sides and 

 ends are iised, especially for apples that are to be shipped a long 

 distance. Of these the corrugated cushions are cheaper, and in a 

 properly necked box give satisfactory resilency. 



Wrappers, or wrapping paper should alv/ays be used for ship- 

 ping apples. The wrappers form a cushion \i'hich protects the nkln 

 from brrising; it absor-bs the moisture of the apple in the storage, 

 and separates the apple into individual compartments, and thus pre- 

 ventinsT contpct and lessening the liability of communicating disease. 



Lining papers, are also used to keep out the dust and odors that 

 are liable to come through the cracks along the tops and sides. The 

 use of individual box labels, is dependent largely upon the amount 

 of fruit shipped. The big shipper should by all means have his own 

 label. This should be attractive, not too gaudy, and distinctive. 

 Having both the name and the address of the sliippe-. The label is 

 an inexpensive means of advertising, and would yield good Interest 



