8 BULLETIN 63, U. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGEICULTURE. 



and 200 oranges to a box. When only two grades of fruit are made, a double sizing 

 machine is commonly used, and both grades are sized at the same time (PI. VIII, 

 figs. 1 and 2). 



The Florida grapefruits are packed with 28, 36, 46, 54, 64, 72, 80, or 96 fruits to the 

 box, the most desirable sizes being 46, 54, and 64. The "Standards" vary from 54 

 to 80. Fruits packed 46 to the box and larger are known as "large off sizes," grape- 

 fruit being occasionally offered as large as 18 to the pack. This is more of a novelty 

 than a commercial proposition, however. The "small off sizes" are those packed 

 96 to the box and smaller. Some of the regular orange-sizing machines can be 

 adjusted for the sizing of grapefruit, but few of them are wholly satisfactory, on 

 account of the variation in shape of the fruit. 



Packing. — Many houses now employ girls and women as packers, although formerly 

 the work was done almost exclusively by men, who were usually paid by the day- 

 High-grade work is done on the average, and considerable care is taken to have 

 each orange put in its place with a little pressiu'e. This makes a firm pack and one 

 which is smooth and of good appearance. The box is filled an inch or more above 

 the top, and when the cover is put on pressure is used to bring the fruit at the ends 

 even with the top of the box. A few shippers fill their boxes much higher than 

 this, thereby making necessary considerable pressure in order to nail on the cover. 

 This type of package, known as the "bulge pack," was developed to meet the buyers' 

 demands for a full box of fruit on arrival in market. High packing is often an excuse 

 for poor packing, however, since oranges which are laid in the box loosely and without 

 pressure must be forced into place when the cover is nailed on, thereby increasing 

 the liability of crushing the fruit in the top layers. A pack which is of medium 

 height, with every orange firmly in place, is less liable to be injured in transit than 

 is a high, loose pack, and the fruit will arrive in market with a more attractive 

 appearance and will remain in good -condition for a longer period. 



The "nailer" takes the box after it is packed, and holding the cover across the 

 fruit with both hands, he gives the box two or three sharp jolts upon the floor, first 

 at one end, then at the other, before nailing it fast. Box presses are in use in a 

 number of houses in the State. Whether the nailing is done by hand or with the 

 aid of a press, care should be exercised to avoid injuring the contents of the top layer 

 against the sides and ends of the box. Some pressmen have the habit of adjusting 

 the covers after pressure has been applied by tapping the ends of the slats, but this 

 scratches or rasps the fruit on top and serious injury sometimes results. The beveled 

 ends, sides, and center pieces which are coming into general use are of great value in 

 preventing injuries during the nailing operation. 



The Florida shipping box for both oranges and grapefruit measures 12 by 12 by 27 

 inches, inside dimensions, and has an estimated weight of 80 pounds when filled. 

 It is made with paneled heads, has sides of veneer in one piece, and is bound with 

 three straps of birch or other wood. Wire hoops are now used extensively in place 

 of the wooden straps. This makes a strong package, suitable for long-distance 

 shipments. 



Shipping. — More attention than formerly is now being given to loading the fruit 

 in the cars. It has been the custom to stack the boxes loosely in the cars, those in 

 the lower tier standing on end and the rest placed lengthwise on top. On account 

 of the strength of the box and the comparatively short haul, the loading is done 

 rather carelessly, very little bracing being used, and often none at all. Although it 

 is not common for the boxes to reach the market in a broken condition, considerable 

 injury in transit is liable with a load of this kind. The better method now coming 

 into general use in Florida is to stack the boxes two tiers high on end, using a car 

 strip across each row and bracing the load securely in tiie middle. This insures a 

 minimum of broken boxes or other injury on arrival in market. 



