APPLES 
of his product by other means than the 
apples themselves, can be carried too far; 
they are balking at the use of cardboard 
petween layers. Under the “square” sys- 
tem of packing no objection but that of 
expense could be made to its use Under 
the present “diagonal” system, however, 
it does not allow the apples to fit down 
into the interstices of the layer under- 
neath. Hence smaller and fewer apples 
must be used, in order that the pack 
come not too high, and the weight short 
The advantages of this use of the card- 
poard can be cared for sufficiently by the 
use of wrapping paper 
Wrapping Paper 
The advantages of wrapping apples are 
(1) it checks transpiration and retards 
the process of ripening; (2) it furnishes 
a cushion to prevent bruising; (8) it 
helps to prevent the spread of diseases or 
decay from one specimen to another; (4) 
it adds to the appearance of the product, 
(5) it renders the process of layer pack- 
ing easier; (6) it enforces layer packing, 
with a known number of apples of uni- 
form size in every box. The objections 
to its use are its cost and the opportu- 
nity which it affords for a loose pack and 
short weight. However, if care is taken 
with the work, the advantages with all 
but the cheapest apples far outweigh the 
objections. Manifestly, in the jumble 
pack the apples cannot be wrapped. 
The best paper for wrapping is one that 
is soft and tough, and that is either 
rough on one side and calendered on the 
other—which paper is called “‘duplex’— 
or else is rough on both sides. Paper 
smooth on both sides causes annoyance 
from picking up double—or worse-—air 
not being able to enter quickly enough 
when the attempt is made to lift one 
sheet from the pile. The soft and tough 
paper does not tear so easily, and makes 
a neater and quicker wrap. One apple 
dealer states that the paper should be 
porous enough to absorb the moisture 
from the apples as they sweat. White 
or manila is preferred. Some is of a 
semi-transparent nature, through which 
the color of the apples can be seen. The 
accepted weight is 17 pounds—that is, 17 
349 
pounds to a ream ot sheets 24x36 inches. 
To prevent brittleness, with consequent 
tearing, the paper should be kept in a 
moist atmosphere, at least for a time be- 
fore it is used. If no special room is 
avallable where humidity can be main- 
tained, moist burlaps can be wrapped 
about the bundles for a day or so before 
the paper is to be used. Paper printed 
with the name and address of the grower 
or selling agency is sometimes used, es- 
pecially for the top layer; and for the 
bottom layer when the latter is “faced.” 
The name of the variety and the brand 
under which the highest grade is sold, 
may be included. When the box is put on 
display the printed wrapper will be seen 
1f the lithograph on the box 1s not. 
Seven and one-half by eight inch paper 
is large enough for the five-tier sizes of 
apples. Eight by nine paper can be used 
where the five and four and one-half tier 
are packed at the same time. Eight by 
nine or nine by nine will do for the four 
and one-half tier alone. Nine by nine or 
nine by ten can be used where the four 
and one-half and the four are packed at 
the same time. Ten by ten can be used 
for both the four and the three and one- 
half tier. Ten by twelve is better for 
Sizes seventy-two and sixty-four. Ten by 
twelve or twelve by twelve are suitable 
for three tier and two and one-half tier 
sizes Care should be taken not to fill 
the box with paper rather than with 
apples. At the same time the apples 
Should be entirely wrapped. 
Method of Wrapping 
Directions for wrapping fruit usually 
being difficult to understand, the reader 
may find help in taking an apple and a 
sheet of paper and performing each mo- 
tion as it 18 directed, being sure that he 
comprehends each step before going on to 
the next. A rubber finger cot is worn 
on the thumb or forefinger of the right 
hand, with which to pick up the paper 
easily and quickly. Begin by picking up 
the paper, one corner pointing toward 
you, the center of the paper in the cen- 
ter of the palm. After some practice you 
will be able to pick up the paper with- 
