Handling the Crop 297 



equipment. The packing-shed is growing in popularity 

 throughout the East and Middle West, but many commer- 

 cial apple-growers still pack out their crop in the orchard, 

 and this operation, therefore, must be given separate treat- 

 ment. 



Orchard packing. 



When sorting and packing is done in the orchard, the 

 equipment usually consists of either a portable slatted 

 table or a canvas or burlap-top table. 



Of the above two types, the slatted table is most com- 

 monly used. Very often these tables are equipped with 

 wheels in order that they may be moved about easily in 

 the orchard. The top of the average slatted sorting- 

 table tapers from three to four feet at one end to one to 

 two feet in width at the other end. The table also slopes 

 so that when the fruit is poured on at the wide end, it rolls 

 down past the sorters to the narrow end, and there is 

 lowered into the barrel by means of an apron. The upper 

 end of the table top should be padded heavily to prevent 

 bruising of the fruit. Leaves and brush drop to the ground 

 as the apples roll down over the slatted top. Sorters 

 stand at the side of the table, and when only one grade 

 is being packed out, as is usually the case, they remove 

 only the culls and rots. When two grades are being 

 packed, the additional grade is picked out as the fruit 

 passes over the table, and is placed in barrels alongside 

 the sorter. The packer stands at the lower end of the 

 table and feeds the apples into previously faced barrels, at 

 the same time assuming part of the responsibility for the 

 grade. 



The slatted sorting-table is an example of cheap portable 



