PACKING AND GRADING APPLES 77 



The boxes are placed at opposite corners, and are supported by 

 inclined shelves. These facilitate packing and allow the packer to 

 see his work. A hopper should also be had to hold the wrapping 

 papers. This should be constructed so that it can be attached to the 

 side of the- box; away from the table, thus placing the papers with- 

 in easy reach of the packer, and still not interfering with the freedom 

 of his movements. 



One of the most important parts of the equipment, is the nailing 

 press. A good strong press can be made for about six dollars, that 

 will do effective and accurate work. The press should be of sufficient 

 size to hold a pile of tops, and should be sj polled with a shelf back 

 of the box, on which to keep the cleats and nails. The clamps should 

 be so constructed and arranged that they will place the strips true 

 and hold the cleats for nailing. The iron regulating the clamps 

 should be supplied with a rachet, — so that the operator will not be 

 forced to maintain the pressure with his foor. 



The rails to be used, should be cement coated and preferably 

 six penny. These will not pull o^Jt after once driven in. The boxes 

 should have four nails at each end, — top and bottom, and two at each 

 end, for each side board, if two are used, or four if a single strip is 

 vsed. 



A stencil for marking grade, number of apples, and variety, 

 should be had. 



The packing operation is started by first lining the box with the 

 lining paper. But first of all be sure that the box is clean. The paper 

 should be of such size as to permit a generous lapping at the top and 

 bottom. For this lining paper we generally have a paper that is 

 cut about twenty-six inches long, and generally comes cut abcait 

 J 9 and a half inches wide, and this will just barely fit into the box anc 

 allow a jenerous amount of over-lapping at the top and bottom. 

 Before the paper is put in the box, it should be creased, which can 

 lie done by taking the paper at the bottom and making a fold and 

 drawing it. across the knee. The paper thus treated will fit into the 

 corners and will not tear when the box is filled or bulges. This 

 crease or fold should be made about six inches from the end, and 

 can be easily done by catching the paper on the ends, thus making 

 a fold, aad then drawing it quickly over the knee, and creasing it. 

 The style of pack to be used depends largely on the fancy of tlie 

 packer and on the size and form of the appl« to be packed. 



Three styles are most generally used, straight, diagonal and off 

 fC't. Though the latter is rapidly going out of favo", as there are 

 too many open spaces, and this style packs fewer to the box. 



In the straight pack, the rows run straight across the box, ana 

 parallel to the sides of the box. This pack includes all three, four 

 and five tier apples, (Tier refers to the number of apples required 

 to reach across the box, when laid side by side). In this style, each 



