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in rows in the box would just fit. Three such layers with or 

 without layer paper have usually been placed in the package. 

 Sometimes four layers are used. 



The general use of the standard bushel produce box, with 

 the certainty that it is likely to be used as a closed package 

 within a few years for the shipping of Mcintosh apples into 

 adjoining States, makes it necessary for growers to practice a 

 good system of packing. At present, because of the recent 

 adoption of this type of practice, the writer, as well as the 

 commercial growers, has no well-defined system. The system 

 is likely to be worked out along one of the three following 

 lines or, possibly, along all lines : — 



A system at present in use with the large sized box, which 

 without doubt can be worked with the standard produce box, 

 is to use what is called a packing pad. This packing pad is 

 nothing but a thin board covered frame which in turn is 

 covered with heavy felt. The felt is cut of a size so that it 

 just fits into the box. A four-sided box without top or bottom 

 is laid upon this packing pad which is on the packing table. 

 Apples are placed in stem end or cheek down in rows upon 

 the felt. Care is usually taken to select a size so that a cer- 

 tain number will just fill a row, and give the same number 

 of rows. The next layer of apples is placed in with the 

 cheeks filling the holes formed by each three or four apples 

 beneath. The remainder of the apples are placed in, being 

 careful to fill all space well. As the box is being filled, it may 

 be slightly racked, which tends to shake all apples down into 

 the lowest holes. The top of the box is leveled off as best it 

 can be by placing some apples on their cheeks and others 

 upon their stem ends. These apples are used for near-by 

 markets and are shipped in open packages; therefore, very 

 little pressing should be necessary when nailing the solid bottom 

 on. As soon as this is nailed on, the package is reversed and 

 the packing pad removed; the package is now ready for 

 market and presents a fine appearance. Those orchardists 

 who have used this system or a modification of it report that 

 it does not require much additional time and that the package 

 will generally sell for 25 to 50 cents more, which pays them 

 well for their time. 



