PACKING AND GRADING APPLES 79 



two apples of the next row to slip part way between them. They in 

 turn have three open spaces or the next row, to partially fill. These 

 alternate rows of three and two are carried on until the layer is 

 completed. 



The layer will end with two or three apples, depending on the 

 size of apples used. 



Between this layer and the next, a sheet of layer paper is used 

 to reduce jarring and bruising and to absorb moisture. The second 

 layer will start with two apples, so placed that they will fit over and 

 down into the spaces below*. The rest of the pack is like the first 

 layer. 



The third layer is started like the first, and the fourth like the 

 second, and so on. 



In the pack, the packer should seek to produce a bulge in the 

 center of the box. This must be gradually secured, starting with the 

 first layer, as the bulge cannot be forced into the last layer. 



The practice has been to secure too great a bulge in some packs 

 or in some parts of the country, but as this bulge is only used to 

 secure firmness, a bulge of one quarter on tlie bottom and one half 

 inch on the top is sufficient. This end is gained by using a slightly 

 larger apple in the center than at the ends, keeping however within 

 the size limit for the style used. 



Things to be sought for in the pack, arc, First, Attractiveness. 

 This should include both the appearance of the fruit and the care- 

 fulness of pack. Irregular lines or arrangoi.ient will detract from 

 the value of the package. 



Second, Firmness: This is of the greatest importance. The 

 fruit should be so packed that no single frm't has the least bit of 

 play, for this rubbing and chafing, bruises (he fruit. However the 

 fruit should not be so firmly pressed into place that it is bruised or 

 dented by so doing. Also too tight a pack will cause the apples to 

 turn, thus throwing the pack into a jumble. However, if the fruit 

 is properly graded, and packed, little difficulty should be met from 

 this point. 



Third; Evenness: This i.s easily, secured in the first layer, 

 but the apples should be so packed that when the cover is placed 

 on the box, it will touch every apple. Evenness insures an equaliza- 

 tion of pressure, and adds to the attractiveness of the pack. 



Fourth, AligDiment: Regularity in alignment, lends a finish to 

 the pack, just as irregularity detracts from the attractiveness. The 

 rows should be paralled to the sides and ends of the box, in the 

 straight pack, and diagonal in the case of the offset, and diagonal 

 packs. 



Height of Ends: The apple should come flush with the box in 

 the soft apples, and one fourth inch above the ends with the firmer 

 apples. Apples packed below the ends are sure to slip and rattle, 



