16 



BULLETIN 35, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



ends up, and the top layer may be " faced," if desired, in the same 

 way in which an ordinary crate is packed. A cushion of sawdust 

 about 2 inches and not less than 1-J- inches thick should be placed 

 over the top layer to prevent injury to the fruit from pressure of the 

 cover. In handling grapes the greatest care should be exercised to 

 prevent injury, for unless the berries are in sound condition when 

 packed their holding quality is seriously impaired and considerable 

 loss from decay is sure to follow. 



The process of sifting the sawdust by hand into the layers of grape 

 bunches is rather laborious and some form of mechanical device for 



Fig. 5. — Small drums in a refrigerator car, showing the method of stacking employed. 



accomplishing this work is very desirable, especially when a large 

 quantity of fruit is to be packed. Much better results can also be 

 secured if the regular packers are assisted by a number of helpers 

 who handle the drums and the sawdust (fig. 3). When these opera- 

 tions are properly s} T stematized, experienced workmen using equal 

 care should be able to pack at a more rapid rate than is possible with 

 the 4-basket crate. 



LOADING THE DRUMS IN THE CAR. 



Figure 4 shows an automobile truckload of Emperor grapes packed 

 in drums and ready to stack in a refrigerator car. In loading the 

 fruit for shipment the drums may be placed in straight rows length- 

 wise and across the car, three tiers high. By arranging the drums 

 in straight rows the greatest amount of ventilation is secured for 

 each package when the fruit is shipped under refrigeration. Only 



