140 



they also tend to bruise much less in this pack, because each 

 apple rests in the space between two or four others. The 

 offset pack presents more empty space to the critical pur- 

 chaser when he takes off the side of the box to look at the 

 apples; therefore, it should be used only when necessary. 



The size of an apple is always considered as the greatest 

 distance from cheek to cheek, and not the distance from 

 stem end to blossom end. A well-packed box of apples should 

 always have a bulge of three-fourths of an inch upon both 

 top and bottom. The top and bottom bulged in this way act 

 as springs to hold all the apples tightly. This bulge is most 

 easily attained by selecting apples with a little greater diam- 

 eter for use in the middle of each layer. As the box is packed 

 th^g bulge will be about If inches in the middle, but when the 

 bottom is nailed on, the top of the box will spring out, thus 

 making both top and bottom equal. (See Fig. 7 for illustra- 

 tion of bulge.) The pack should be but little in excess of the 

 height of the box at the ends. This generally comes all right 

 because of the size of the box and the kind of pack selected 

 for the several sizes of apples. Apples which have a diameter 

 of 2f inches make a five-tier pack of either 188, 198, 200 or 

 225; 2f inches in diameter make a four and a half tier pack 

 of either 138, 150, 163 or 175; 2^ inches in diameter make a 

 four-tier pack of either 113 or 125; 3§ inches in diameter 

 make a three or two and a half tier pack of either 36, 48, 56, 

 64, 72 or 80. The number varies with the variety, owing to 

 their different shapes and thicknesses. 



It is sometimes a hard question for beginners to decide 

 when to use the different packs, such as the 4-4, 4-3, 3-3, 

 3-2 or the 2-2. This varies with the size and shape of the 

 apple being packed. The 2-2 and 3-2 are the packs most in 

 favor among fruit growers. It is advisable to pack the apples 

 upon their cheeks whenever possible, as they present a much 

 better appearance. A few of the varieties and sizes require 

 stem-end packing. Experience and long-continued practice 

 will overcome most of the difficulties experienced by beginners 

 in box packing. 



In the 2-2 pack, start by placing one apple in the lower 

 eft corner and another apple halfway between the cheek 



