20 FRUIT-GROWER, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



There is, of course, a certain advantage to the 

 growei ij. using a ninety-six quart barrel in place of 

 a one hundred quart barrel. Four quarts of apples 

 are worth saving. At this rate a man would gain 

 one barrel in twenty-five, which would be a saving 

 of four ^er cent. In most factories any adjustment 

 which accomplishes a saving of four per cent is con- 

 sidered well worth making. A smaller barrel fur- 

 nishes an even three bushels, which is all the pur- 

 chaser is really entitled to. The question of adopting 

 the ninety-six quart barrel in the United States has 

 often" been discussed, but the proposition has never 

 made much headway. It will doubtless be a long 

 time before we ever come to it. 



Apple barrels are made out of all sorts of lumber, 

 usually from such timber as is not very valuable for 

 other purposes. Elm is used to a considerable extent 

 and makes a good barrel. Hickory used to be used, 

 but it is now too expensive. Hemlock and spruce 

 are used to some extent; so is cheap pine. Chestnut 

 and birch are occasionally worked up into barrels. 

 The hoops are usually made out of the same stock, 

 although occasionally timber is worked up into hoop 

 stock which is not fit for anything else. In some 

 parts of the country split hoops are used, in which 

 case young birches and large alders are worked up. 



The best custom for one buying apple barrels is 

 to get them knocked down, staves, heads and hoops 

 separate. It is best, of course, to buy this stock in 

 car lots. It is then delivered on the farm of the 

 grower to be worked up into barrels on the premises. 

 A small cooper shop can be easily rigged up. In the 

 apple growing sections itinerant coopers go about 

 from farm to farm during the summer and autumn 

 working this stock up into barrels. A good handy 

 man on the farm, with a little practice, can learn to 

 put up apple barrels himself. A small kit of tools is 



