105 



APPLE PACKING FOR MASSACHUSETTS GROWERS. 



ALBERT R. JENKS, SPRINGFIELD, MASS., HORTICULTURAL ADVISOR, 

 HAMPDEN COUNTY IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE. 



The fast-growing commercial importance of the apple crop 

 in Massachusetts demands that the packing phase of the in- 

 dustry l)e given intelligent study, and that all discoveries of 

 proven worth be put into practical application. As the apple 

 crop increases in size the cheaper grades will be pushed from 

 the market. The selling price of the better grades will be 

 lowered, thus making it possible for more people to use a 

 large quantity of apples each succeeding year. Along with 

 a lower selling price, the cost of production must be reduced 

 and better methods of packing adopted. 



Wonderful strides have recently been made in the methods 

 used by fruit growers in the management of their orchards. 

 Only very recently have growers begun to give more time 

 and attention to the packing and marketing of their fruit. 

 At present this is fully one-half of the problem. It is true 

 that we have improved upon our forefather's method of 

 harvesting his fruit, — that of shaking the apples to the 

 ground and picking them up in sacks, or allowing them to 

 fall off and then picking them up. It has remained for our 

 western pioneer apple growers to teach us really up-to-date 

 methods. Improved methods of picking must precede any 

 advance in the packing of apples. Too little thought often- 

 times is given to this phase. Apples may be excellently 

 grown and finely packed, but unless they are carefully 

 picked they will not bring the highest market price. It is 

 very hard to know just when an apple has reached the stage 

 when, if picked, it will keep the longest and still retain the 



