PACKING FRUITS FOR ROAD OR RAIL. 



367 



structure it is desirable to provide roof-lights, 

 otherwise it is likely to be rather dark. 



Various modifications of these two places 

 could be made to suit different requirements, or 

 either could be adapted as a department for an 

 existing fruit-storage by little alterations which 

 will readily suggest themselves. Well-built 

 sheds can also be easily fitted for work of this 

 kind, and where the strictest economy is neces- 

 sary, and the work is limited, wooden sheds 

 suitable for the purpose can be constructed for 

 a few pounds by the exercise of a moderate 

 degree of ingenuity. As most of such structures 

 are only required for a short period of the year, 

 they can be utilized for many other objects 

 with advantage. For example, where the pack- 

 ing-cases, boxes, &c, are made on the place in 

 the winter months, or in other slack time, such 

 buildings are well adapted for the work. 



The tables for sorting and packing upon 

 require a few words of description, though they 

 are simple enough; there are some details that 

 may be overlooked until experience has taught 

 a few lessons. One point is, that it is a great 

 mistake to have tables too wide. It is far better 

 to have them long and narrow, as the fruit is 

 more at the command of the packer, and it is 

 not rolled about and damaged to the same ex- 

 tent as when it has to be repeatedly pulled 

 towards the workman. From 2 feet 3 inches 

 to 3 feet is a convenient width, and if such 

 tables are formed of ordinary 9 -inch boards, 

 this allows for three or four respectively with- 

 out any cutting. The height is also a matter 

 of some importance, and usually, if men of 

 average size are employed, either standing, or 

 sitting on stools, about 2 feet 7 inches is suit- 

 able, but where women are employed, and 

 chiefly sitting, 2 feet 4 inches is more con- 

 venient. 



When narrow tables are used they answer 

 the purpose quite well if level, but if wider 

 than the dimensions given it is helpful if the 

 top slopes slightly towards the packer. Very 

 little rise is required, however, about 3 or 4 

 inches in a width of 4 or 5 feet being sufficient. 



With all the small soft fruits it is a great 

 advantage if they can be placed upon the tables 

 in sloping trays, as these can be then removed 

 when emptied and fresh ones put in their places. 

 It is also a more convenient way to dispose of 

 the refuse or damaged fruits, which otherwise 

 have to be cleared off the table by hand. Such 

 trays may be of any size to suit the table space, 

 but they may be somewhat larger if desired, so 

 that they project a little either back or front. A 



handy size is 3 feet square, the backs about 

 6 inches high, sloping to about 2 inches in 

 front, with spaces cut for the hand, one each 

 side, so that the tray can be easily lifted to and 

 from the table. A slight slope is advisable, as 

 for the larger tables, and the bottom boards 

 should be of hard wood well planed or preferably 

 polished. An ordinary level tray can be easily 

 propped up at the back to form a slope. 



For the hardier fruits, such as Apples and 

 Pears, it is well to cover the tables with some 

 soft substance that can be removed occasionally, 

 but care is needed in this, as if anything is used 

 of a linty nature some Apples will take up 

 portions on the skins, which spoils their appear- 

 ance. Again, also, if there should be much 

 dust or small particles of rubbish (a little can- 

 not be avoided), this will accumulate and have 

 a similar effect. Still, the use of a material 

 that will minimize the risk of bruising in the 

 sorting, and which can be readily removed, is of 

 distinct service, and we have found a few sheets 

 of common white packing -paper answer the 

 purpose well. 



The Packers. — In fruit-growing establishments 

 of ordinary size the packer has to serve also as 

 grader and sorter, and there is an advantage 

 in this, for it avoids the repeated handling of 

 fruits in two or three operations. It sometimes 

 effects a saving if the actual packer passes the 

 box or basket on to another for the fastening- 

 down process; the division of labour is benefi- 

 cial, and enables a man to become more expert 

 in his special department. Where very large 

 quantities of fruits have to be disposed of, or 

 when they are reserved for storing, grading 

 must always be a separate operatiorr. 



Men are indispensable as packers where 

 Apples, &c, are made up into half-bushels, 

 bushels, or barrels, as there is a good deal of 

 heavy work connected with the moving of such 

 packages. For weighing and fastening -down 

 the} are also necessary, but for grading or for 

 packing all soft and choice fruits women can 

 be trained to perform the work equally as 

 well, and sometimes much better, than men. 

 In every case it is better to have a few prac- 

 tical hands at the work than a number of 

 inexperienced persons who may effectually 

 spoil a large consignment, and will cost more 

 for supervision than will cover the additional 

 wages of skilled operatives. In both grading 

 and packing, judgment and quickness are re- 

 quired, and an experienced manager will soon 

 detect those who show the greatest aptitude. 



Arrangements should be made for weighing 



