CONDENSBB MlI,K AND MlLK POWDER III 



The sides, bottom and top of the cases should be of material 

 about three-eighths of an inch to one-half inch thick, the ends 

 three-fourths of an inch to seven-eighths of an inch thick. The 

 cases are usually bought in the "knock-down" shape and are made 

 up in the factory. Sixpenny cement-coated wire nails are most 

 suitable for this purpose. The cases are most economically nailed 

 by the use of nailing machines, which nail one entire side or one 

 side and one end simultaneously. The cans are usually placed into 

 the cases direct from the labeling machine. In some factories, pack- 

 ing machines, which pack twenty-four medium-size cans in one 

 operation, are used. 



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, rep- 

 resenting, 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." If 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 hermet- 

 ically sealed. Prolonged exposure to dampness, however, will mois- 

 ten 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 States Government, the cans are 

 dipped in a solution of shellac before they are labeled. Cans for 

 export trade and in many instances 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 be- 

 tween the cans and prevents the cans from being damaged on their 



