536 



Packing Apples in Boxes. 



[Sept., 



a size that they will just fit the space available, keep the rows 

 at right angles to the box, and in the case of all but the first 

 tier, keep the rows in line with those beneath. Care should also 

 be taken to keep the apples well pressed towards the end of the 

 box. When the first tier is nearly completed, it may not exactly 

 reach the end of the box. If the last row will not go in, the 

 whole tier should be looked over, and 2 or 8 of the larger 

 apples taken out and replaced by sHghtly smaller ones. If the 

 tier is then pressed firmly towards the end at which packing 

 commenced, the last row should just go in. If the last row is 

 too loose, 2 or 3 of the smaller apples should be replaced 

 by slightly larger ones. This operation has decided the size 

 of apple that is being packed, and it is the only way of securing 

 a really tight and effective pack every time without fail. The 

 first row decides the success of the pack, and if it is well packed 

 in accordance with the method, no difficulty will be found in 

 packing the other tiers. 



It has been stated that 4 apples might go in and not 5, 

 yet the 8-2 pack would not come right, because the second row 

 might slip into the first. Should this occur, it is clear that 

 an attempt is being made to pack apples which have already been 

 sized, and the method of sizing at time of packing as described 

 above has not been followed. As the whole system depends for 

 its success upon this method, it is important that it should be 

 made perfectly clear. To take an extreme case, let us suppose 

 that the packer has selected 5 apples which are 2J in. in 

 diameter one way, and 2 J in. another. If they are placed the 

 2J in. way the fifth will not go in because 5 x 2-J in. is 12J in., 

 and the box is only 11 J- in. wide. If, however, they are placed 

 the 2 J in. way the 5 will go in easily. This merely shows 

 that the average size is too small. If this has occurred and the 

 apples in the second row will not hold their position, those par- 

 ticular apples should be rejected, and others very slightly larger 

 chosen. The average size will then be large enough to pack 

 8-2. It has already been stated that the sizes must be chosen 

 so that they will pack. The apples rejected will, if not too small 

 for boxing, pack with the 8-8 pack. 



The 3-2 Diagonal Pack, — Sizes coming under Paile 2 should 

 be packed as follows : Select 8 apples as nearly the same 

 size as possible ; place one in each of the lower corners of the 

 box and the third midway between these two. In the two 

 spaces thus made in front of these apples place 2 apples for 

 the next row, choosing them and fitting them according to the 

 previous paragraph. Then complete the rows with 8 and 2 



