PACKING 



297 



Fig. 159. Packing apples. Most of the apples in the Northern States are sorted 

 and packed in barrels in the orchard and shipped directly to the cities. 



simply " A." Some growers call their best stock " 3X," 

 their seconds " 2X," and their third " X." Others brand 

 their third quality stock as " seconds " or " A " brand. 



Packing. Whatever form of container is used in 

 fruit packing, it should be clean, light, durable, and 

 cheap. 



Apples are commonly packed in barrels and although 

 the size of the apple barrel varies in the several states, the 

 general method of packing is the same. The first two 

 tiers placed in the barrel are faced ; that is, placed in regu- 

 lar rows with the stems downward. These should be of 

 uniform size and color and typical of the remainder of the 

 fruit in the barrel. Starting on the outside of the barrel, 

 they are placed in concentric rings, and those of the second 



