16 BULLETIN" 569, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



with the fact that it can be made by the mechanic of almost any plant, 

 are important points in its favor. 



For an apron 18 inches wide, 14 pieces of |-inch iron pipe (1 inch 

 outside) were cut, each piece about 7 inches long. About one-half 

 inch from one end of each piece a hole was drilled through the pipe 

 large enough to permit of the pipes being strung on a |-inch steel rod. 

 In order to insure freedom of movement a thin washer was placed 

 between each pipe and the one next to it. The whole set was then 

 suspended by means of the steel rod across the sorting apron with 

 the lower ends one-half inch above the apron. A back-stop rod is put 

 in behind the set to prevent the pipes from swinging back past the 

 center. This was found necessary to prevent them from swinging so 

 far back as to strike and gouge the oncoming tomatoes. Plate II 

 shows a sorting apron fitted with three sets of pipes, thus allowing 

 for one set between each pair of sorters. In operation the weight of 

 the pipes is sufficient to roll the tomatoes over as they pass under. 



In order to obtain satisfactory operation it is most important that 

 the tomatoes do not cover more than 50 per cent of the apron area, 

 otherwise they do not have room to turn properly. A test at one 

 plant showed that 70 to 80 per cent of the tomatoes were turned each 

 time they passed under a set of the pipes. It was found also that 

 this turning device worked better on the open metal apron than on 

 the canvas or rubber type, owing to the fact that the tomatoes slipped 

 badly on aprons made of canvas or rubber. 



LIGHTING THE SORTING TABLES. 



The matter of providing suitable lighting for efficient sorting often 

 has been neglected. In all too many instances there are no top lights, 

 no provision is made for artificial lighting on dull days, or the 

 workmen stand in their own light or labor under similar difficulties. 

 Sorting requires quick observation and action and the workmen 

 should have every possible advantage. Certain manufacturers have 

 expressed gratification on noting the increased facility with which 

 the tomatoes on the apron could be examined after their plants had 

 been lighted properly. 



The tomato-packing season comes at a time of the year when many 

 days are cloudy. Hence, in planning an equipment provision always 

 should be made to meet the most unfavorable conditions. The most 

 desirable form of light is top light. This usually can be obtained at 

 small expense by putting in a skylight. Where this is impracticable, 

 two 100- watt electric lights with good white reflectors suspended 4 

 feet over each table give satisfactory light. In order to make pro- 

 vision for dark days it is desirable to have some such form of arti- 

 ficial lighting, even when the sorting room has a skylight. The 



