Boxing Apples 401 



The methods of box-packing have been well described 

 by C. S. Wilson (Cornell Bull. No. 298), from a study of 

 both western and eastern conditions. He writes as follows : 



Two sizes of boxes are used in the West, the standard and the 

 special. These difier sHghtly in width and height (}^ inch) as well as 

 in length, which adapts them to the different sizes of apples. If, 

 therefore, an apple, because of its size, will not pack well in one size 

 of box, it certainly will pack in the other. Most of the western 

 growers have a supply of both sizes on hand. 



The dimensions of these boxes are: 



(a) Standard, lOH by 11}^ by 18 laches, inside measurement. 



(6) Special, 10 by 11 by 20 inches, inside measurement. 



The ends % inch; sides, ^ inch; top and bottoms, two pieces 

 each, ]4, inch thick. There should be four cleats for each box, two 

 at the top and two at the bottom. The sides of the box should be 

 nailed with four nails at each end of each side. The cleats should be 

 put neatly on the box and fom: nails driven through them and 

 through the top or bottom into the ends. Cement-coated or rosined 

 nails are preferable, either six-penny or five-penny. A few other sizes 

 differing from those mentioned above are sold by manufacturers in 

 the East. Odd sizes, however, should be avoided. The boxes are 

 delivered in the shooks and nailed up by the growers themselves. 



Lining. — The box is lined on the bottom, sides and top with a 

 white paper called " linin g paper." No lining is placed at the ends. 

 Lining paper is. made from ''white news'' in different sizes, accord- 

 ing to the box — ^for the standard, 17J^ by 26 inches, and for the 

 special, 19^ by 26 inches. This paper can be purchased of any whole- 

 sale paper dealer, and should cost approximately 3J^ cents per 

 pound, or about $1.20 per thousand sheets. 



One piece of lining paper is put into the box in such a way as to 

 cover a little more than one-half of the bottom and all of one side, 

 enough stiU being left to fold over a little beyond the center when the 

 box is packed. Another piece is put into the box in a similar way on 

 the other side. In order to prevent the tearing of the lining paper 

 along the sides at the bottom, when the top is nailed on and the 

 bottom bulges, a plait or crease is made in the lining paper at this 

 place. The plaits lie across the comers and provide plenty of slack. 

 In the West some growers plait the lining in this manner; others do 



