J 921.] 



Packing Apples in Boxes. 



583 



variation. Even supposing that apples could be accurately 

 measured for diameter, the difficulty of taking the height into 

 account would still remain. Trial may show that a certain run 

 of fruit packs quite well if the sizes are 2i-2J in., 2J-2| in., ar.d 

 so on, but in another run of longer apples these might not be 

 suitable at all, and 2J-2| in., 2§-2g in., and so on, might be the 

 sizes that would pack. In each of these sizes the variation would 

 be J in., but it comes in a different part of the scale. The correct 

 starting point could not be ascertained until a trial box had been 

 packed, and much time would be wasted. The final selection jor 

 size cannot he made hy machinery ; it must he made hy eye. This 

 need not alarm the would-be packer, because there are po many 

 guides to help in the choice, that reasonable care is all that i.^ 

 required. 



It would be both tedious and damaging to the fruit if all sizes 

 were before the packer at once, so that a large number had to 

 be rolled over to find the right size. It is not essential to divide 

 the apples as picked into more than three sizes, large, medium, 

 and small. There is no objection to using a machine for this, 

 but in no case should the variation in size be less than -J in., and 

 it must be clearly understood that this simply reduces the number 

 of sizes from which the packer has to choose, and v\ill not secure 

 a size which can be packed right away without further selection. 

 As will be shown, after the first few apples are placed in the 

 box, the size and position of the rest are determined by those 

 already packed. 



It has already been stated that however nearly the same sizes 

 are selected, there must be some variation. The extent of the 

 variation is a matter for consideration. There is no doubt that 

 the more nearly the apples are of the same size, the more easily 

 and quickly can they be packed and the better will be ih^' result. 

 The maximum number of sizes, for example, between 21 B (about 

 21 in. average diameter) and IIB Mahout 2^ in. aveiage diameter) 

 is 9. If the quantity of apples to be packed is sufficiently large, 

 this number of sizes can be packed most easily and quickly, and 

 will give the best results. Where few apples are available, how- 

 ever, fewer sizes must be selected. This will not prevent the 

 system being used, but it introduces an element of uncertainty; 

 the selection of sizes requires more consideration and is less 

 automatic, and the result depends upon the packer more than on 

 the svstem. It is, therefore, better to make the maximum num- 

 ber of sizes, in fact to select apples of as nearly the same size as 

 possildc. 



