more serious objection to bruises, stem punctures and rotten spots is the effect on 

 eye appeal which resiilts in reduced sales. 



Packages and Packing 



ApproxLiiately eighty per cent of the packages in which apples were delivered to 

 the stores were the Eastern apple box or "orate". Fifteen per cent were delivered 

 in the cell tj^pe carton. Only about two per cent were packed in a tray type cartons 

 Seventy^seven per cent of apples in the "crate" were jumble packedo Since studies 

 in other states have shown that more bruising occurs in the "crate" jumble packed 

 than in any other type of package commonly used, a more extensive use of the cell 

 pack or tray pack would materially reduce the number of Wuised apples delivered't o 

 i-etail stores o 



The number of samples obtained from bulk disp>lays and from prepackage displays 

 was about equal. The most common type of prepackage was a three pound polyethylene 

 bag. In spite of the fact that studies in New lork State have shown that more apples 

 per one hundred customers were sold when five pound polyethylene bags were displayed 

 with bulk apples, only one sTich display v&s observed in this survey but in this case 

 three pound rather than five pound bags were useH lJ Ouly one sample in a five pound 

 polyethylene bag was obtained from the one hundred sixty-eight stores visited, 



t'farket Source 



An analysis was made "with respect to grade, depending upon the source from which 

 the stores obtained the fruit. No measurable differeuceifms found whether the apples 

 were obtained directly from the grower-, from a wholesaler or from a warehouse. From 

 all three soui'ces approximately one'^t li:' rd of the apples were culls due chiefly to 

 bruises and stem punctures, — ~ ~ 



A markedly inferior grade of fruit was found in stores ^fil±ch purchased apples 

 from transient pedlars, ! ' "" 



Random Comments 



Mention should be made here of the excellent cooperation received from owners, 

 store managers and produce clerks. In every instance all information requested was 

 graciously given and in many instances considerably more than was requested, 



A definite impression ivas obtained that store managers like to handle Mcintosh 

 apples becpuse they are a good selling item. In general, they indicated that they 

 could sell more if they could get vrell colored fruit, free from bruises and other 

 blemishes and more uniformly sieed. Hence, the key to increased sales of Mcintosh 

 -apples is chiefly in the hands of those who grow, grade, and pack the fruit, 



—0,C, Roberts 



More interesting and important fi.iidings from this study will be discussed by 

 Professor Roberts at the Summer Meeting of the ivkssachusetts Fruit Growers Association 

 at Fitzgerald's Orchard in Leominster, July 21st, 



ED. 



