STORAGE OF CALIFORNIA TABLE GRAPES. 



15 



A convenient packing support for the drums and field boxes can 

 be made of 2 by 4 inch scantling. Two strips of convenient length 

 are fastened together 8 or 10 inches apart, with the proper frame- 

 work to form a long packing table or bench, the top consisting of the 

 parallel strips for holding the drums or boxes. The small barrels slip 

 into this support and can be tilted against the side nearest the packer, 

 being held firmly in place by their own- weight. Figure 3 shows the 

 interior of a packing house and illustrates an excellent arrangement 

 of the field boxes, packing tables, and facilities for handling the 

 sawdust. 



Fig. 4. — An automobile truckload of Emperor grapes packed in drums ready to load into 



a refrigerator car. 



In packing the fruit the bottom of the drum should first be covered 

 with about 2 inches of sawdust. The grapes should be packed in 

 layers, usually one bunch deep, and as each layer is placed enough 

 sawdust should be shaken over it to thoroughly sift through the 

 bunches. Sharp jarring is required to fill all the interspaces be- 

 tween the berries, and this may be accomplished by shaking the 

 drum slightly but rather abruptly back and forth, or, even better, 

 by tapping the sides with the hands. Enough filling material must 

 be used to prevent appreciable settling after the drum is filled, and 

 this can be accomplished only by careful attention to the packing 

 of each layer. The round form of the barrel permits a very close 

 pack to be made, each drum generally containing three layers of 

 grapes. The bunches may be laid either on the side or with the stem 



