Packing in Cases 151 



placed into the cases direct from the labeling machine. In some 

 factories, packing machines, which pack twenty-four medium- 

 size cans in one operation, are used. Formerly condensed milk 

 cans were packed exclusively in wooden cases. Within the last 

 few years the use of paste-board and fibre boxes has been adopted 

 in many condenseries. These boxes are proving very serviceable 

 for domestic trade, and prior to the price advance on paper ma- 

 terial caused by the world war, they made possible a considerable 

 saving in the cost of the package. 



Marking the Cases. — One end of each case is stenciled with 

 the number of the batch ; over the other end is pasted a case 

 label, representing, enlarged, the brand of the label on the cans 

 within. In the place of the case label, the respective brand may 

 be printed on or burnt into the wood. The burnt stencilling is 

 usually done by the manufacturer of the shooks. One side of 

 each case is usually marked "Condensed Milk" or "Evaporated 

 Milk," as the case may be; the other "Keep in cool, dry place." 

 [f sweetened condensed milk is exposed to excessive heat for a 

 considerable length of time, as is often the case in storehouses 

 or in the hold of steamers, where the cases may be stowed against 

 the boiler room, it becomes brown, thickens rapidly and develops 

 a stale flavor. Evaporated milk also darkens when exposed to 

 heat and depreciates in flavor. It should, therefore, be kept in 

 a cool place. The humidity of the storage room has no effect on 

 the condensed milk proper, the cans being hermetically sealed. 

 Prolonged exposure to dampness, however, will moisten the paste 

 under the labels. This causes the labels to wrinkle and the paste 

 to become sour and musty. The sour paste corrodes the cans 

 and rust spots penetrate the labels. Such cans also may soon 

 become coated with mildew. 



Packing Condensed Milk for Export. — In the case of con- 

 densed milk bought by the United vStates Government, the cans 

 are dipped in a solution of shellac before they are labeled, or the 

 tin plate or empty cans are bought by the manufacturer already 

 lacquered. Cans for export trade and in many instance for the 

 home market, are wrapped into heavy, soft paper, bearing on the 

 outside a copy of the respective brand. This wrapping paper takes 

 up the space between the cans and prevents the cans from being 

 damaged on- their long journey and by rough usage. This wrap- 



