Packing and Grading the Fruit 269 



to be roused, we do not necessarily mean the man who 

 stands at the head of the organization, for he often fore- 

 sees changes that must come long before he dares to 

 suggest them; it is the influential growers within the 

 association who need to be made to realize that methods 

 must be improved. 



The early idea of many associations was to pack the 

 fruit at a central packing-house. By employing a com- 

 petent man to look after the packers, they hoped to 

 secure a uniform pack on which they could establish a 

 reputation. The plan is still followed by some associa- 

 tions, in spite of its drawbacks. With a large volume of 

 business, however, it is impossible for the management to 

 handle the fruit under such a system. It is impossible 

 for one foreman to see that a hundred packers, or even 

 half that number, pack a uniform grade. Again, it is 

 not always possible to secure 'help, and the equipment 

 generally proves inadequate at the critical time. To 

 say the least, the difficulties experienced in securing a 

 uniform grade and in handling a large crop, are burden- 

 some to the management. 



The oldest association, and the one now doing the largest 

 business in this group of states, has long since given up 

 this plan and has adopted a system of platform inspection. 

 Each grower is responsible for packing his fruit and de- 

 livering it to the platform. Here the inspector opens 

 as many of the boxes as he chooses and inspects the con- 

 tents. If the grade and pack is satisfactory, the grower 

 is given credit for so many boxes of such a grade; if the 

 pack is not up to grade, he has his choice of having it 

 " marked-down " or taking it back home and regrading 



