308 THE APPLE 



are attached by means of an iron pin inserted through a hole in 

 the plank and clamp. It is well to have several holes at half-inch 

 intervals in the clamps, to enable the operator to adjust them to the 

 proper height for any box. The coil springs throw the plank up 

 and loosen the clamps when the pressure is released. When the 

 pressure is applied to the ends of the covers, the bulge is distributed 

 about equally between bottom and top. Four nails driven through 

 each cleat are sufficient to hold the cover in place. 



Labeling. An attractive label pasted on the end of the box 

 aids materially in marketing the product and, if used persistently, 

 becomes a valuable advertising agent. The label should not be of 

 the gaudy circus-poster style, but should give such information as 

 the grower's name, the variety of fruit, and the number of apples 

 in the box. To guard against mistakes the number of apples and 

 the other items required by the Sulzer law should be marked on 

 the box by the packer before the cover is nailed in place. 



Barrel Packing 



The standard barrel. Congress has recently passed a much- 

 needed measure regulating the size of apple barrels for all states. 

 It specifies that the length of stave shall be 28 J inches, the diam- 

 eter of head \j\ inches, the distance between heads 26 inches, 

 and the outside circumference of the bulge 64 inches. All barrels 

 not coming up to this standard must be so marked. The act also 

 provides for three standard grades of apples of minimum sizes of 

 2 J, 2 J, and 2 inches, respectively. The fruit in any of these grades 

 must be sound, well-colored, and of a normal shape. Any barrel 

 marked Standard Grade must also be plainly marked with the 

 minimum size of the fruit, the name of the variety, the locality in 

 which it was grown, and the name of the grower or packer. This 

 act became effective July 1, 191 3. The barrel material required 

 should be fairly free from knots and cross grain. A hard, tough 

 wood like elm makes the best barrels, but much latitude may be 

 followed in the choice of material. 



Packing table. A table for barrel packing differs from that used 

 in box work and may be constructed as follows. The size is 6 feet 

 long by 4 feet wide, with sides 8 inches high. In the bottom of 



