HANDLING APPLES FROM TREE TO TABLE 



21 



Figure lO.-^-Use of adequate grading and sizing machinery, an important factor in 

 the reduction of bruising. All the sorters should wear gloves. 



slight bruise may disorganize the cell structure at the base of lenticels 

 sufficiently to provide a microscopic opening for entrance of decay 

 organisms during washing and packing. Skin-punctured apples are 

 generally regarded as culls, because it is well known that they are likely 



Table 2. — Comparison of injuries incurred by two methods of handling 



unpacked apples 1 





Fruits 

 checked 



Injuries caused per 100 fruits 



Handling method 



Skin 

 punctures 



Bruises 





Severe 



Slight 



Total 



Hauling from orchard : 

 Bv individual boxes 



Nmnber 



9 ,309 

 9,278 



3,972 

 3,152 



Number 



1.1 



.1 





 



Nmnber 



3.3 

 .9 



8.8 

 5.9 



Number 



37.4 

 6.8 



43.4 

 26.3 



Number 

 40.7 



On pallets 



7.7 



Storing prior to packing: 

 By individual boxes 



52.2 



On pallets 2 



32.2 







1 From 1948 studies with Delicious apples in Washington. 



2 Careless handling with fork-lift trucks. 



