1921.] 



Packing Apples in Boxes. 



537 



apples alternately. Commence the second tier by placing -2 

 apples in the two spaces or pockets between the first )^ 

 apples in the first tier, then place 3 and 2 alternately until 

 the end of the box is reached. The third tier will commence 

 with 8, the fourth with 2 and fifth with 3. 



If care has been taken to observe the points mentioned, it is 

 impossible for the pack to fail to come the right height. 



The 2-2 Diagonal Pack. — One apple of any of the sizes ascer- 

 tained by Rule 3 is placed in the left hand coiner of the lower 

 end of the box, and a second, as nearly the same size as possible 

 is placed midway between the cheek of the first apple and the 

 other side of the box. The second row is made by pressing one 

 apple into the space between the first two apples, and the other 

 in the space between the second apple and the side of the box. 

 The rows are continued to the other end of the box in a similar 

 manner. 



The 2-1 Diagonal Pack. — One apple of an\ size ascertained 

 by Piule 4 is placed in each of the lower corners of the box. The 

 second row consists of one apple only of as nearly the same size 

 as possible, which is placed in the space between the first two. 

 The pack is then completed 2 and 1 alternately as already 

 described. 



The 3-3 Diagonal Pack. — One apple of one of the sizes in- 

 dicated by Eule 1 is placed in the lower left hand corner of the 

 box. In the space between that and the right hand comer, two 

 apples of as nearly the same size as possible are placed, so that 

 the three spaces left — two between the apples and one between 

 the last apple and the side of the box — are equal. In these three 

 spaces three similar apples are placed, and so on, always 

 3 apples in a row. 



Nailing up the Box. — With the pack complete, and projectin.L; 

 about one inch above the box, the box is transferred to the 

 nailing press, lining papers folded over, bottom boards put on. 

 and pressed down carefully by the machine. This presses 

 the apples carefully into place, where tbev are tightlv 

 held by the spring of the top and bottom boards. The bottom 

 can then be nailed down, through cleats if these are used, with- 

 out fear of splitting. The bo-^ is taken out of the press, turned 

 upside down, for the reason already stated, and pencil marked 

 with the name of the variety and count <ov nn.nbei- of apples 

 in the box) ready for labelling. 



Further Points. — Wh(^n the p:i('k(^r has Liaiii'd ( yi)(M-ienc(\ 

 there are three further points whicli may be watclied". (1^ After 



