115 



be of two pieces each, a little less than Vi inch thick, the two 

 pieces making them more elastic. There should be two 

 cleats for the top of the box and two for the bottom on each 

 end. These hold the top and bottom securely, as the bulge 

 has a tendency to push the thin boards over the nail-heads. 

 The boxes generally come knocked down, and can be put to- 

 gether during rainy weather, before the season opens. Four 

 nails should be used for the sides, at each end. Four or five 

 penny cement-coated nails are the best ; they hold better. 



Fig. 3. — A convenient type of packing table. 



The P aching Table. 

 The packing table, such as is shown in Fig. 3, is about 

 3 by 4 feet, made of 6 by 1 inch boards with 2 by 4 inch 

 joists as posts. A stout canvas is stretched across the top of 

 the boards. An old piece of rubber hose may be nailed along 

 the top of the boards over the canvas to protect the apples 

 from bruising. Shelves for holding the apple box are made at 

 a slant on opposite corners of the table. Extra shelves may 



