274 



Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



soon as picked and kept as cool as possible until it can 

 be delivered to the shipping point. 



Packing tables are generally home-made. The table 

 shown in Figure 70 is a very good type. Each of these 

 tables accommodates four packers, has stands for two 

 boxes in front of each packer, and a stand for the cull- 

 box on either side near the center. 

 This table has a canvas bottom 

 and fruit may be packed from it 

 with very little danger of bruis- 

 ing. It could be improved by 

 placing the stands for the boxes 

 a little higher and constructing 

 them so that they hold the boxes 

 in an inclined position, the end 

 near the packer being slightly 

 lower. 



Most tables are made to ac- 

 commodate two packers. It is 

 a good plan to have the top of 

 the table on an incline, the pack- 

 ers working on the lower side. 

 The table is filled from the back and the fruit gradually 

 slides down to the front as the packer works that nearest 

 him off the table. Tables with board bottoms should be 

 well padded and all sharp corners should be covered. 

 The best tables have either canvas or burlap bottoms. 



There are many styles of box-presses to be had, both 

 factory-made and home-made. A good press is indis- 

 pensable in packing apples and pears. Figure 72 shows 

 a very good type of press that may be used for either 



FIG. 72. Box Press. 



