APPLE GRADING AND PACKING 181 



argument in their favor being the ability to handle fruit faster. How- 

 ever, this same argument is erroneous for if the same grade is put up, 

 the slant table is no faster than the flat one where all fruit is handled. 



PLAT TABLES ENCOURAGES BETTER GRADING. 



By the use of flat tables, every apple must be picked up, no matter 

 whether it be extra fancy or cull. The sorter sees one side of the 

 apple before taking hold of it. With one extra twist of the wrist he 

 can bring the other side into view. In addition to being able to see 

 the entire surface of the apple, the sense of touch adds another safe- 

 guard. The touch is often of as much assistance as the eye in detect- 

 ing defects, especially bruises. In using flat tables every apple is 

 subjected to this second examination. 



Flat table at I'niversity Farm, Lincoln. 

 Bruising the fruit is avoided by using canvas or burlap for the 

 bottom of the tables, and by lining the boxes or baskets, into which 

 the apples are sorted, with several thicknesses of burlap. 



This method of sorting is as rapid as the old method besides being 

 much more accurate and obviates much of the damage done in grad- 

 ing. It is just as rapid for the reason that the fruit is handled but 

 once. Every apple is placed in its proper grade and out of the way. 

 This is quite different from the old method where the grade which 

 is being barreled is pushed and rolled around in seeking out the other 

 grades. 



