THINNING, GATHERING, KEEPING, MARKETING. 127 



The main part of the apple crop is moved in barrels. Some 

 States regulate the size of apple barrels by law. Barrels 

 are strong, are easily rolled or handled, and they are quoted 

 in the staple markets. However, the bushel box, or other 

 small package, is bound to come more and more into use, 

 for it insures better packing, more careful grading, and more 

 care to all the details. It also pleases the buyer. Common 

 and cheap apples will continue to be sold in barrels, prob- 

 ably, but for the finer grades another package is desirable. 



Apples are commonly piled under the trees after picking, 

 and are then sorted into barrels. Some growers prefer to 

 pack directly into the barrels, and this is no doubt preferable 

 with the better and tenderer grades of fruit. Since most ap- 

 ples are sold to itinerant buyers, the desire of the buyer must 

 be followed in respect to methods of packing. The better the 

 market, the more careful must be the sorting and the pack- 

 ing. An apple which is underripe, overripe, wormy, scabby, 

 misshapen, bruised, is not first-class, and should never be 

 sent to a first-class personal customer. More fruit-growers fail 

 in packing and marketing the fruit than in growing it. 



Apples should be so snugly placed in the barrels that there 

 can be no rattling when they are moved. They should there- 

 fore be slightly shaken several times while filling. A little 

 practice will enable any one to do this sufficiently without 

 danger of bruising. The upper stratum should be made as 

 straight and uniform as practicable, and at such a height that 

 the head of the barrel will slightly indent them — the dry 

 wood absorbing the moisture and preventing decay. 



A simple contrivance is adopted by packers for placing the 

 head in position, and is shown in the annexed sketch (Fig. 

 192). It consists of a plank, a, on which the barrel stands, 

 into one end of which is dovetailed an upright piece of plank, 

 b, a little higher than the top of the barrel. A slot, c, is cut 

 in its upper end, and a pin runs across to receive the end of 

 the lever, d, which may be six or eight feet long. A round 

 board is used as a follower, to be placed upon the head ; and 

 across this board is placed a cylindrical piece of wood about 

 three inches in diameter (and flat on the lower side), on which 

 the lever is placed. A moderate pressure at the end of the 

 lever, and a little practice in its use, will enable the operator 



