HANDLING APPLES FROM TREE TO TABLE 



31 



Figure 15. — Corrugated fiberboard box, packed in 

 the same way as the standard box. Note how this 

 container takes care of the bulge and that when 

 the package is closed there is no opportunity for 

 ventilation. 



quently, it is some- 

 what harder to cool 

 apples packed therein 

 than in ordinary wood 

 boxes, especially when 

 they are sealed up 

 tightly (fig. 15). 



This is especially 

 true when the cartons 

 are stacked tightly to- 

 gether like bricks. 

 with no chance to get 

 cold air around each 

 package. Another ob- 

 jection which militates 

 against the wide- 

 spread use of fiber- 

 board packages is the 

 fact that containers 

 made of this material 

 hold the fruit less rig- 

 idly in place than w T ooden containers. Since they are not ordinarily 

 moistureproof , the high humidity desirable for apple storage causes 

 fiberboard containers to soften during the storage season. Thus when 

 the apples come out ripe and in greatest need of protection against 

 pressure, fiberboard containers are usually even less rigid than in the 

 fall and are less capable of affording protection than those made of 

 wood. 



Prepackaging for the Consumer 



There have been recurrent attempts to market apples packed in small 

 containers of various sizes. These have varied from one-half bushel 

 down to six or eight individual apples packed for the retail trade. 

 As a rule, apples so packed are not subjected to as much hazard of 

 bruising as in larger containers, but they are likewise more difficult to 

 cool quickly and adequately and often are not protected against scald 

 by use of oiled paper. Ordinarily the fruit is not displayed as well 

 as in larger packs, and, unless the packages are opened for examination, 

 customers do not know the condition of the fruit until it has been 

 taken home. In consequence of these and other factors, unless the 

 apples are freshly packed it is not probable that use of such packages 

 can be looked to as a solution of the problem of getting apples to the 

 consumer in the best condition. 



THE SHIPPER'S RESPONSIBILITY 



Many apples are shipped to markets long distances from producing 

 areas and frequently are in transit from 1 week to 2 or 3 weeks before 

 being unloaded. Most of the shipments are made in refrigerator cars. 

 The type of protective service that they receive in transit depends on 

 what is ordered by the shipper. It may be ventilation, refrigeration, 

 or protection against freezing by heater service. 



