306 The Commercial Apple Industry 



bins and a more accurate sizing machine is necessary. In 

 most of the larger packing-sheds of the West, the main 

 floor is used for receiving the fruit and as the packing- 

 room. 



The system of handling the loose fruit as it comes in 

 from the orchard is important. A receiving platform on 

 the north side of the house is convenient for storing the 

 fruit which is to be packed out immediately. Additional 

 storing space for the loose boxes should be provided on the 

 packing floor. All congestion tends to inefficiency. In- 

 creased needs should be anticipated. 



An example of efficiency is seen in the large packing- 

 shed which is equipped with conveyer belts carrying the 

 loose boxes from the wagon directly to the sizing machine. 

 Sorters examine the apples and then pass them to the siz- 

 ing mechanism, and packers stationed at the bins imme- 

 diately pack the fruit. Carriers or conveyors bring empty 

 boxes to the packers and carry the packed boxes to the 

 nailer. The packed fruit is then nailed, stamped and 

 carried by conveyors either into storage or into the car for 

 shipment. The movement of fruit to the car is delayed 

 only by temporary storage as it is being fed into the sizer. 

 As emphasized before, it is important that the fruit con- 

 tinue in one direction when passing through the packing- 

 house. Careful attention should 'be given to the disposi- 

 tion of culls which are likely to cause congestion if left to 

 accumulate on the packing floor. Removing the culls to 

 elevated bins by conveying belts or allowing them to pass 

 by means of canvas chutes into the basement are two means 

 of solving this problem. The increasing value of cull 

 fruit makes it advisable that this part of the crop be 

 handled with great care to prevent unnecessary bruising. 



