PACKING 



33 



can be loaded immediately into cars standing on a side track 

 or can go to cold storage by truck. 



A loft for empty packages and supplies, a well-lighted first 

 floor for the packing operation, and a basement for the packed 

 fruit make a good arrangement. Such a house would need to 

 be built on a slope so that the first floor and basement might 

 both be at ground level. Ventilation in the fruit room is im- 

 portant. Instead of storing packages in a loft, some growers 

 prefer to store them in an adjoining building, and through 

 the use of skylights make more light available to the packing 

 floor (Fig. 15). 



Floor plans of desirable houses for barrel and box packing 

 may be obtained from the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture. 



(d) Grading. In grading U. S. No. 1 fruit, whether by 

 hand or machine, discard all apples showing limb rubs, spray 

 burn, sun scald, russeting, hail, visible water core, disease, or 

 insect or mechanical injuries, and fruit which is overripe 

 or out of condition. A small proportion of these defects is 

 allowable, but some fruit possessing them will remain even 

 though the operator removes all that he can find. He should 

 seek to pack well above the minimum grade standards. Han- 

 dle the fruit with the greatest care. Do not press or drop it. 



Be familiar with the grade requirements (see General In- 

 formation at the close of this chapter) as to color and size. 

 Keep sample specimens in view until proficiency is attained. 

 Use both hands, and strive constantly for greater speed and 

 accuracy. Look at the apples as they lie on the table. Pick 

 them up in such manner that as the wrists turn the undisclosed 

 portions of the fruit come into view. Most mechanical sizers 

 turn the fruit on the rolls or belts to afford opportunity for 

 thorough inspection — an opportunity which is often neglected. 



{e) Packing in Barrels. Inasmuch as very little fruit is 

 now packed in barrels and that almost entirely for export, the 

 subject is treated under General Information at the close of 

 this chapter. 



