20 HARVESTING, STORING, AND MARKETING 



barrel has 16 staves, free from knots, averaging 4 inches in width at the 

 bilge, and heads of 2 or 3 pieces. 



The barrel comes to the grower set up with heads and hoops 

 in place, but without nails as a rule, although two nails are 

 sometimes used to fasten each quarter hoop. The barrel can 

 thus be stored until needed for use without danger of warping. 



Box: The box is usually of spruce or pine and should be 

 made up from sound, clean stock, dressed on the outer surface. 



In the East the most common box is one which, when 

 properly filled, contains 1% bushels. It is not intended to be 

 filled higher than the ends of the box or to become a closed 

 package with a bulge on top and bottom like the Western box. 



The New York and New England or Eastern apple box is 16 by 13% 

 by IIV2 inches, inside dimensions. The ends and cleats are %6 inch thick, 

 sides % inch, and the tops and bottoms %6 inch thick. 



The Western box is heavier for longer transportation. It is 10% by 

 11% by 18 inches, inside measurements. For odd sizes of fruit the 

 special box, 10 by 11 by 20 inches, is used. One-piece ends are % inch 

 thick. Tops and bottoms consist of two pieces % inch thick; sides of 

 one piece % inch thick. Many firms furnishing box materials outside 

 the commercial box regions depart from these specifications, but experi- 

 ence has demonstrated that changes, if made at all, should be made only 

 within very narrow limits. Tops and bottoms must be thin enough to 

 spring when the box is packed, thus making the bulge which insures a 

 tight pack, automatically kept so by the tension of top and bottom. 

 After packing, the boxes are piled on the sides. Boxes should be nailed, 

 as dovetailed boxes have not proved satisfactory. 



Boxes may be purchased either flat (Knocked Down — K.D.) 

 or nailed ready for use, the first being the usual custom. Many 

 local dealers in supplies have nailing machines and will nail 

 the boxes more economically than the grower can do it by hand. 

 The United States struck bushel (2150.4 cubic inches) is not 

 adhered to in any type of box. The Western box contains 2173 

 cubic inches. 



Bushel basket: This is a more inexpensive type of con- 

 tainer which is very good for lower-priced fruit. Various 

 makes and types of bushel baskets are available, including 



