288 THE APPLE 



moving that section of the table forward or backward, as the case 

 may be, and this effects a corresponding change in the size of the 

 fruit delivered to the table by the gauges. 



The fruit can be divided between the tables on each side of the 

 machine as follows : Either unit of tables can be adjusted to receive 

 all the fruit, or 75 per cent can be delivered to the unit of tables 

 on one side of the machine, leaving 25 per cent for the unit of 

 tables on the opposite side ; or 50 per cent can be delivered to 

 each unit of tables. These changes can be made in a few seconds' 

 time, so that any varying condition in the ratio of the Fancy grade 

 to the Extra Fancy grade can be provided for, thus insuring equal 

 distribution of work among the packers. 



Padding. All parts of the machine which come in contact with 

 the fruit are well padded, so that there is no possibility of bruising 

 or other injury. The sides of the hopper and packing tables are 

 padded with thick wool felt, and the feeding mechanism and gauges 

 with rubber. The bottoms of the hopper and packing tables are 

 made of the best quality of burlap, which experience has shown 

 to be superior to canvas or any other material because it permits 

 dust and small dirt to pass through and away. The sanitary condi- 

 tion of a machine needs as careful attention as other considerations. 



Power required. The machine is very light-running, requiring 

 less than one-half horse power to operate it. As practically all 

 growers have a power-spray outfit, the machine has been arranged 

 especially for connection with any ordinary gasoline engine used 

 for operating a sprayer. 



Capacity. The feeding mechanism is arranged to pass four 

 apples to the gauges at each operation. The average number of 

 such feeding operations per minute may safely be placed at 50. 

 However, conditions must govern the speed at which the machine 

 is operated. Large apples take a slightly longer time per apple 

 than small apples, so while but 50 feeding operations per minute 

 may be required for a large variety of apples, a small variety like 

 Jonathans would allow much faster work. By taking an average 

 feeding speed of 50 operations per minute, at four apples per 

 operation, exactly 200 apples will be sorted for size in a minute's 

 time, or 12,000 apples per hour. This is equivalent to from 800 

 to 1 200 boxes per ten-hour day. 



