35 



Apple Boxes. 



The high prices of apple barrels, taken in connection with the 

 ■changing conditions of our markets, have led to the extended use of 

 boxes. We have experimented to a considerable extent in the 

 Department of Horticulture at the Massachusetts Agricultural 

 College in the use of boxes for apples. While we are not ready to 

 say that boxes are better than barrels, in general, we have found 

 their use very satisfactory. Boxes should be used however only 

 for strictly first-class fruit, and more especially for the early and 

 soft-fleshed varieties. There is probably less margin of profit in 

 handling standard winter fruit like Baldwin in the smaller package. 



Many kinds of boxes have been used and recommended. The 

 bushel box is probably the best under the present market condi- 

 tions. These boxes are made up in a variety of styles. The one 

 which seems to be the most attractive, and the one which we 

 prefer, measures 10x11x20 inches inside. This gives a trifle 

 -over the standard bushel and weighs about fifty pounds filled. 

 The ends are | inch stuff and the top, bottom and sides are | inch 

 stuff. These cost about $15 a hundred. 



In shipping fancy apples in boxes, we have found it desirable 

 to wrap the fruit in papers. Any clean, white paper will answer, 

 but specially made tissue paper furnished by dealers for fruit 

 wrapping is the most satisfactory. The papers are cut 10x10 

 inches square. 



Cold Storage. 



The cold storage business for apples has been rapidly developed 

 in the last five years. It has also been greatly improved. The 

 largest bulk of winter fruit now finds its way into the large city 

 storage houses from which it is marketed as wanted. Many of 

 these storage companies accept apples for storage direct from the 

 growers. The prices charged for storage are from thirty to fifty 

 cents a barrel for the season. This allows the fruit to be taken 

 out at any time up to May 1 . 



The keeping of fruit in what is called common storage has been 

 considerably diminished on account of the improved cold storage 

 facilities. Quantities are still stored at home, however, in cellars 

 or in houses constructed especially for the purpose. Such houses 

 or fruit rooms are usually cooled in some way, usually by control 

 of the ventilation. Well-built fruit houses of this type have 

 proved very successful in the past. Tlieir value is proportionally 

 less, however, as the city cold storage becomes cheaper and more 

 efficient. 



