Handling the Fruit 89 



The majority of the associations in the West make 

 three grades, and while they are known by different names 

 in different parts of the West, they are practically uniform 

 in. size of fruit. These grades are known by the name of 

 "extra," ''90s" and "108s; M "extra fancy," "fancy," "choice," 

 "F," "A," "B," etc. 



The "extras" or "extra fancy" is applied to peaches that 

 will pack not more than 80 to the box; "90s" should run 

 from 81 to 94 to a box, and the "108s" from 95 to 108. In 

 the peach growing section of Oregon the "F" grade is. 

 applied to peaches running not more than 66 to the box; 

 "A" to 76 and "B" to 88. In this district a fourth grade 

 running to 100 per box has been packed, but has not been 

 a profitable size, and peaches running less than 88 are used 

 up locally or canned. 



Handling the Fruit 



The first essential in packing peaches for the commer- 

 cial market and especially where they are to be shipped 

 for some distance, is to have the fruit picked in the right 

 way and at the right time. Peaches which are picked too 

 green or too ripe will not prove satisfactory on the mar- 

 ket. In picking pick with the hand and not the fingers. 

 Reach over the peach so that the fruit rests in the palm of 

 the hand and separate the fruit from the stem by a twist 

 from the wrist and not by a pull. Peaches picked in this 

 manner will not show the least mark, even on the ripest 

 fruit, and the fruit should be laid in the basket and not 

 dropped. The fruit must be handled as carefully as eggs. 



Grading of the peaches is done as the fruit is packed, 

 as it is the general opinion among experienced packers 

 that the fruit can be handled in that manner with the least 

 amount of damage. Grading machines have been in use 

 to some extent, but they have not proven altogether satis- 

 factory as yet on account of the bruising which is caused. 

 Yet there is every reason to believe that satisfactory ma- 

 chines will be developed within the next few years that 

 will handle peaches with but little more bruising than they 

 receive at the hands of careful pickers. 



