Handling the Crop 307 



Mechanical sizer (Plate XX) 



The sizing machine has become such an important fac- 

 tor in the handling of both the commercial barreled and 

 boxed apple crop as to require separate treatment. It 

 seems apparent that this labor-saving device is destined to 

 play an increasingly important part in the handling of 

 commercial apples. The chief criticism offered against it 

 is the attending danger of careless handling, which is 

 being rapidly eliminated by greater mechanical perfec- 

 tion and judicious operation. One of the greatest ad- 

 vantages of the mechanical grader is sometimes over- 

 looked. It lies in the precision with which the fruit may 

 be handled. A machine properly fed insures a steady 

 flow of fruit through the packing-house. Shirking, wasted 

 or lost time becomes apparent at any delay. 



There are two general types in mechanical sizers : Those 

 which size by weight and those which size by measure- 

 ment. The former type seems best adapted to the use of 

 the western growers, owing to the fact that boxed apples 

 must be closely sized. Machines of the second type are 

 more commonly used throughout the East where extreme 

 accuracy is not required. Sizing machines vary in size, 

 capacity, and price. The grower should insist on thor- 

 ough demonstration. Electricity is the most satisfactory 

 motive power in operating the larger machines, although 

 gasoline engines and even hand power are very often 

 employed with the smaller types. 



The following points should be considered when pur- 

 chasing a sizing machine: (1) The capacity of the sizer 

 should be consistent with the amount of fruit to be handled. 

 (2) Simplicity of design should be sought as well as dur- 



