138 FRUIT-GROWING 



"bulge" over the middle portion which is 

 highly desirable. As a matter of fact when the 

 box is filled, the fruit should extend one-half an 

 inch above the top at each end and about one 

 and one-half inches in the middle. It is then 

 ready for nailing on the top which is best ac- 

 complished with the aid of a box press which 

 clamps the lid tightly over the apples. Both 

 top and bottom being of thin material the 

 boards will spring over the apples. A portion 

 of the "bulge" will be forced down to the bot- 

 tom of the box and the pressure will be evenly 

 distributed throughout the package. A box so 

 packed will stand shipment any distance and 

 the fruit will arrive in perfect condition and 

 more free from bruises than in any other type 

 of package. In shipment, however, and in 

 storing around the packing house and other 

 places boxed apples must always be placed on 

 their sides and not on the bulged top or bottom. 

 Usually apples packed in boxes are wrapped 

 in thin tissue. This is cut in various sizes to 

 accommodate different sized fruits. Ten and 

 a half inches square is a customary size and 

 will answer in most packs. The wrapping of 

 the fruit is often a problem to the beginner as 

 he finds trouble in picking up the tissue and 

 often becomes badly confused in his pack as a 

 result. It is best to arrange the packing table 

 in such a way that the apples are on the opera- 



