200 Appendix. 



the "special," which is longer and a trifle narrower, measuring inside 

 10x11x20. Some growers use the "special" for 128s only, its greater 

 length permitting it to accommodate eight tiers nicely. The "standai-d" 

 box contains 2,173.5 cubic inches, or slightly more than a struck bushel, 

 and the "special" 2,200 cubic inches. The bulge in the top and bottom 

 adds about 150 cubic inches to the capacity of each. The standardizing 

 of apple boxes is a piece of legislation much to be desired, and one that 

 would be welcomed by every honest and progressive grower. There is 

 nothing now but sentiment to prevent competition slyly cutting down 

 the size of the boxes, and no legal redress for honest packers if their 

 neighbors resort to these practices, and thus undermine the reputation 

 the former are striving to build up. And are not the interests of the 

 poor consumer also worth considering? 



There should be a national fruit package law prescribing the standard 

 size or sizes of apple boxes. Some growers think one size sufficient, 

 and this would of course save much annoyance if practicable; but more 

 are inclined to think that two are necessary. Mr. C. H. Rogers, of 

 Watsonville, California, president of the Pajaro Valley Fruit Growers' 

 Association, writes me that the growers there use one box almost ex- 

 clusively (9%xllx20%), but that they feel the need of a different shape 

 for the largest sized apples, and are now experimenting with boxes of 

 various dimensions. Canadian laws, however, allow but one size, yet 

 no serious complaints have arisen. This size, 10x11x20, was fixed only 

 after a careful canvass of the horticultural societies and many growers 

 showed it to be the general favorite. Mr. Maxwell Smith, Dominion 

 Fruit Inspector at Vancouver, tells me that upon assuming duties two 

 years ago he found no less than seven different sizes of apple boxes upon 

 the Seattle market. This chaotic condition has doubtless improved since 

 the enforcement of the Canadian law, but will never be completely 

 abated until similar legal action is taken in this country. 



Box shooks are usually hauled to the packing house or orchard and 

 made up on the spot. To perfoi-m -.his operation rapidly, make a form 

 by nailing two cleats a foot long on the work bench just the length of 

 a side board apart, and about seven-eighths of an inch inside each of 

 these nail another, thus making two slots to receive the end boards. In 

 the same manner cleat a short board and nail it on edge just back of 

 the cleats on the bench, meeting them at right angles. End boards 

 thrust into these slots are thus held upright while being nailed. Box 

 cleats should always be put on bottoms as well as tops, otherwise the 

 thin boards are very likely to split and draw over the heads of the 

 nail when the top is pressed into place. Cleats sometimes give a good 

 deal of annoyance by splitting while being nailed, and in such cases 

 should be soaked in hot water a few hours previous to using. Four 

 four-penny nails on each end are much safer than three, both for sides 

 and top and bottom, and cement coated or barbed nails are more reliable 

 than the smooth. A good man can make up from 130 to 160 boxes per 

 ten-hour day. The average cost of boxes in the flat is 10 to 13 cents 



