APPLES 



349 



of his product by other means than the 

 apples themselves, can be carried too far; 

 they are balking at the use of cardboard 

 between layers. Under the "square" sys- 

 tem of packing no objection hut that of 

 expense could be made to its use. Under 

 the present "diagonal" system, however, 

 it does not allow the apples to fit down 

 into the interstices of the layer under- 

 neath. Hence smaller and fewer apples 

 must be used, in order that the pack 

 come not too high, and the weight short. 

 The advantages of this use of the card- 

 board can be cared for sufficiently by the 

 use of wrapping paper. 



Wrapping Paper 



The advantages of wrapping apples are: 

 (1) it checks transpiration and retards 

 the process of ripening: (2) it furnishes 

 a cushion to prevent bruising: f3) it 

 helps to prevent the spread of diseases or 

 decay from one specimen to another; (4) 

 it adds to the appearance of the product: 

 (5) it renders the process of layer pack- 

 ing easier: (6) it enforces layer packing, 

 with a known number of apples of uni- 

 form size in every box. The objections 

 to its use are its cost and the opportu- 

 nity which it affords for a loose pack and 

 short weight. However, if care is taken 

 with the work, the advantages with all 

 but the cheapest apples far outweigh the 

 objections. Manifestly, in the jumble 

 pack the apples cannot be wrapped. 



The best paper for wrapping is one that 

 is soft and tough, and that is either 

 rough on one side and calendered on the 

 other — which paper is called "duplex" — 

 or else is rough on both sides. Paper 

 smooth on both sides causes annoyance 

 from picking up double — or worse — air 

 not being able to enter quickly enough 

 when the attempt is made to lift one 

 sheet from the pile. The soft and tough 

 paper does not tear so easily, and makes 

 a neater and quicker wrap. One apple 

 dealer states that the paper should be 

 porous enough to absorb the moisture 

 from the apples as they sweat. White 

 or manila is preferred. Some is of a 

 semi-transparent nature, through which 

 the color of the apples can be seen. The 

 accepted weight is IT pounds — that is, IT 



pounds to a ream of sheets 24x36 inches. 

 To prevent brittleness, with consequent 

 tearing, the paper should be kept in a 

 moist atmosphere, at least for a time be- 

 fore it is used. If no special room is 

 available where humidity can be main- 

 tained, moist burlaps can be wrapped 

 about the bundles for a day or so before 

 the paper is to be used. Paper printed 

 with the name and address of the grower 

 or selling agency is sometimes used, es- 

 pecially for the top layer; and for the 

 bottom layer when the latter is "faced." 

 The name of the variety and the brand 

 under which the highest grade is sold, 

 may be included. When the box is put on 

 display the printed wrapper will be seen 

 if the lithograph on the box is not. 



Seven and one-half by eight inch paper 

 is large enough for the five-tier sizes of 

 apples. Eight by nine paper can be used 

 where the five and four and one-half tier 

 are packed at the same time. Eight by 

 nine or nine by nine will do for the four 

 and one-half tier alone. Nine by nine or 

 nine by ten can be used where the four 

 and one-half and the four are packed at 

 the same time. Ten by ten can be used 

 for both the four and the three and one- 

 half tier. Ten by twelve is better for 

 sizes seventy-two and sixty-four. Ten by 

 twelve or twelve by twelve are suitable 

 for three tier and two and one-half tier 

 sizes. Care should be taken not to fill 

 the box with paper rather than with 

 apples. At the same time the apples 

 should be entirely wrapped. 



Method of Wrapping 



Directions for wrapping fruit usually 

 being difilcult to understand, the reader 

 may find help in taking an apple and a 

 sheet of paper and performing each mo- 

 tion as it is directed, being sure that he 

 comprehends each step before going on to 

 the next. A rubber finger cot is worn 

 on the thumb or forefinger of the right 

 hand, with which to pick up the paper 

 easily and quickly. Begin by picking up 

 the paper, one corner pointing toward 

 you, the center of the paper in the cen- 

 ter of the palm. After some practice you 

 will be able to pick up the paper with- 



