24 FRUIT-GROWER, ST. JOSEPH, MO. 



writer feels confident that something of this kind 

 will eventually find a place in the market, but noth- 

 ing yet has been accomplished which can be given 

 general recommendation. 



The bushel basket has been used to some extent, 

 especially in the Chicago market, for apples, and has 

 some advantages. It is easy to handle and pleases 

 the customer. Such bushel baskets with covers cost 

 about $12 a hundred. Half bushel baskets of the 

 same form cost from $10 to $11 a hundred. 



Packing Apples 



A man who packs apples should have some expe- 

 rience, and the judgment born of it, in order to do 

 his work well. Next to the man who grades the 

 fruit, the one who packs it has the greatest respon- 

 sibility. Many a sale of good fruit has been spoiled 

 by poor packing . When fruit is to be shipped some 

 distance, as across the ocean, the packing must be 

 irreproachable. If barrels are poorly packed the 

 fruit works loose, becomes bruised, and in many 

 instances quite worthless. 



In packing a barrel with apples the barrel is 

 placed on its head with the bottom out. Some good 

 clean apples are put in for "facers." It is best to 

 pour in 20 to 30 such apples at the start just about 

 enough to cover the head. The packer then places 

 these in 'even circular rows, beginning around the 

 outside and working in, setting each specimen with 

 the stem down. It is important to see that the apples 

 in this first tier the facers fit snugly together. 

 Then a second tier is put on, facing stems down like 

 the first. Now the real filling of the barrel begins 

 The sorted fruit, preferably placed in the swing-bai 

 half-bushel basket already recommended, is pourec 

 in. This basket can be let down into the barrel anc 

 emptied with the least possible disturbance of the 



