APPLES FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES 233 



In this State the standard box is made of pine. Its measurements are 

 y% by 1 i by 22 in., and it holds about 50 pounds of fruit. A modified box 

 ot extra thick material, reinforced by iron straps, is frequently used for 

 export trade. Redwood boxes are used only for cheap grades of apples 

 packed for the local market. 



After being sorted, the apples are passed to the packer, who, before 

 placing them in the box, wraps each apple in a piece of paper prepared for 

 the purpose. 



The apples must be so packed in the box as to permit the nailing firmly 

 of the lid at each -end, and at the same time allow a gradual swell of about 

 three-fourths of an inch at the middle of both top and bottom. On account 

 of the resultant shape of the boxes, they can be stacked up with safety 

 only on their sides. 



The packed boxes after being neatly labeled, are next transferred to 

 the ^ars and stacked four or five tiers high. An air space of three or four 

 feet is left between the top tier and the roof of the car, also the entire space 

 between the doors is left vacant for the better circulation of air. The boxes, 

 after being systematically placed in the car, are so braced with timbers as 

 to prevent any movement. The usual carload consists of about 650 boxes. 

 Refrigerator fruit cars are employed mainly for apple shipment, but no ice 

 is used. 



Summer and Fall Apples. In some regions noted for early 

 maturing of fruit, it is profitable to grow early apples, providing 

 there are facilities for reaching profitable avenues of trade. Except 

 to minister to some special local or distant trade which can be 

 thus foreseen, it must be said that very early apples are hardly 

 worth the attention of the commercial planter. These sorts are apt 

 to come into direct contest with the magnificent peaches, grapes, 

 and other summer and autumn fruits, and suffer thereby. 



On the other hand the fall apples, chiefly the Yellow Bellflower 

 and Gravenstein, are so good and profitable in regions where they 

 bear well that they are among the varieties which constitute our 

 chief commercial reliance. 



Winter Apples. For large ventures in apple growing, in local- 

 ities carefully chosen for especial adaptations, a few of the finest 

 varieties of winter apples should generally be selected. It is the 

 judgment of the most experienced apple growers, many of whom 

 have old orchards including many varieties, that new plantations 

 of winter apples should contain only about six sorts. Of these, 

 in all parts of the State, two would be the Yellow Newtown Pippin 

 and White Winter Pearmain; the other four would vary in differ- 

 ent parts of the State, as can be learned from the table which will 

 follow. 



Apples for Long Shipment. There has been for years quite an 

 important trade in shipment of California apples to various ports 

 in the South Pacific Ocean, and recently there has been a sharp 

 demand for California apples for shipment to the eastern states 

 and England. The characteristic size, quality and keeping of the 

 fruit, together with the size and style of package, have strongly 

 commended the fruit. The center of this trade is Watsonville, 

 in a coast valley, in the central part of the State. The two apples 



