STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 8l 



choice fruit who could not afford a barrel, or who would have 

 no use for so large a quantity. The term barrel is also of very 

 indefinite significance. It may refer to the straight-sided cement 

 cask, the typical apple barrel of regulation size, or the generous 

 flour barrel. The buyer is never certain which size he will get 

 w^hen giving an order. The original cost of package is, how- 

 ever, in favor of the barrel. 



The size of boxes also varies considerably and should be reg- 

 ulated by law. The bushel box used quite commonly in Chicago 

 is iii/^xii^xi8 inches inside measurements, and is endorsed 

 for strictly fancy fruit. The Canadian box is 10^x115^x22 

 inches inside and gives good generous measure. The California 

 box, on the other hand, is only 10x11x20 inches in the clear, 

 thus holding only about 40 pounds of fruit. The Northwestern 

 Fruit Growers' Association, embracing Oregon, Washington, 

 Idaho, Montana and British Columbia, have adopted the standard 

 size of 10^2x113^x18 inches in the clear. Some of the Colorado 

 growers have adopted a size which seems one of the best. This 

 is 11^x11^x18 inches in the clear and holds about 51 pounds 

 of Winesap or other choice apples and 44 pounds of Ben Davis — 

 or just a little more than a bushel. The sides, top and bottom 

 of this box are made of 3^:4 -inch boards and the ends of 13-16- 

 inch with a cleft on each end. Concerning its use. Mr. J. H. 

 Crowley of Rocky Ford, Colo., says : 'Tn packing we put the 

 top and cleats on, face with double faces, then fill in full ; lay 

 bottom boards on, put in press and nail bottom ; turn box over 

 and stamp name and variety on end to show face side up. For 

 fancy apples we pack in layers, four layers and four tiers. In 

 storing, hauling or loading on cars, the boxes should be cleated 

 in tiers. This box, or one very nearly like it, is the coming 

 package." 



From these and other reports it will be seen that there is need 

 of some agreement as to the size of boxes used ; but in almost 

 every instance where boxes have been used both shipper and 

 consumer have been pleased with the results. Is there not in 

 this fact a suggestion to the progressive apple growers of Maine? 

 May we not, with advantage to all concerned, put our strictly 

 fancy Spys, Kings, Baldwins and other highly colored fruits in 

 such attractive form that they shall command quick sales at a 

 great advance over the general market? 



