172 



fruit. A cheap, gaudy label detracts from, 

 rather than adds to, the appearaace. A 

 lithograph should contain the grower's 

 name, mark or initials. On the other end 

 of the box should be stamped the number 

 of apples, or preferably the tier, as 4, 4i, 

 etc., the packer's number and the variety. 

 'This facilitates matters considerably, for 

 the consumers know the exact number of 

 apples." 



Before the packing actually begins it is 

 necessary to grade the fruit with accuracy 

 and precision. A grading board or rings 

 for the purpose is very useful. A numb'^r 

 of excellent, grading machines are now on 

 the market, which are in every way desir- 

 able adjuncts to every well-conducted 

 orchard. In America it is looked upon 

 as a necessity. Again quoting Mr. C. C. 

 Vincent, the following sizes should be 

 taken as standards of grading: — 



2i-tier apples, four inches diameter. 



3-tier apples 3f inches diameter. 



3-|-tier apples, 3 1-10 inches diameter. 



4-tier apples, 2| inches diameter. 



4^-tier apples, 2J inches diameter. 



5-tier apples, 2 1-5 inches diameter. 



Grading board for standard box: — 



2j-tier apples, 4 3-10 inches. 



3-tier apples, 3 4-5 inches. 



3-^-tier apples, 3 3-10 inches. 



4-tier apples, 2| inches. 



4j-tier apples, 2 1-5 inches. 



5-tier apples, 2 inches diameter. 



The work of grading being finished 

 with, the work of placing the fruit in tiers 

 is begun, as per illustration. That pic- 



ture is clear and eloquent of itself, and 

 needs no further elucidation. 



A press for packing apples in boxes is 

 an absolute necessity. Without it the 

 work cannot be properly done. As to 

 which kind gives the best results, growers 



Starting a 2-2 

 Diagonal Pack. 



Stahting a 3-2 

 Diagonal Pack. 



must learn and decide for themselves. 

 The illustration shown is an example of 

 one of the smaller presses used in U.S.A. 



Conclusion. 



Although this article has assumed 

 greater length than was at first intended, 

 the vast subject of, grading and packing 

 has by no means been exhausted. Suffi- 

 cient, it is hoped, has been written lo 

 arouse some latent interest in the work 

 of packing, and from that beginning much 

 good must inevitably result. 



