6 



BULLETIN 859, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



another method that deserves careful consideration, in which the 

 fruit after it is picked is washed and handled by means of a machine. 



The field crates used in connection with the machine, and also by 

 many growers who do not use a machine, are made of hardwood 

 mill edgings that have been carefully planed and smoothed, especially 

 where the tomato is likely to come in contact with them. The crate 

 is open, so that all sand and dirt fall through and do not injure the 

 tomatoes during hauling. 



When the tomatoes arrive at the packing shed they are dumped 

 into a large tank at the end of the machine, which contains a special 

 washing solution kept at as high a temperature as the fruit will stand. 



Fig. 2.— Scene in a Florida tomato packing house. 



Were the solution with which the tomatoes are washed nothing more 

 than hot water, it can hardly be doubted that the thorough removal 

 of adhering sand, dirt, and fungous spores would be beneficial. The 

 tomatoes remain in this supposedly disinfectant solution for about 

 half a minute, constantly revolving, and are pushed toward an end- 

 less chain which carries them up an incline, where a spray of cold 

 water rinses off the washing mixture. Drying is accomplished by 

 passing the fruit between two layers of sponges. As it passes over 

 the rollers, cullers are able to pick out the undesirable fruit without 

 handling the remainder. It then passes over a special sizer, from 

 which the several grades drop on tightly spread duck inclined planes 



