STORAGE OF CALIFORNIA TABLE GRAPES. 
17 
a narrow space in the center is needed for bracing. The ordinary 
car cleats used in bracing crates may be employed to separate the 
tiers, and these should also be placed on the floor, lengthwise of the 
car, to allow a circulation of air under the drums (figs. 5 and 6). 
The loading could be improved by placing strips 1J or 2 inches thick 
lengthwise on the floor of the car, allowing two strips for each row 
of drums and arranging them so that the vertical spaces between 
the drums are not closed. In some of the first shipments the drums 
were arranged in such a manner that the spaces between the rows 
were closed, thus preventing the circulation of air around the pack- 
ages and largely nullifying the effects of refrigeration. If the 
Fig. 6. — Large drums in a refrigerator car. showing the method of stacking employed. 
The three drums in front were temporarily laid down ; they are not loaded in this 
position. 
grapes have been packed while cool or if the drums have been pre- 
cooled to a temperature of about 40° F., open spacing between the 
packages is not so important. Cooled fruit may be stacked com- 
pactly if cleats are placed on the floor and against the sides of the 
car to allow a free circulation of air around the fruit mass. This 
serves to protect the drums against heat leakage through the car 
walls or floor. 
Figure 7 shows the drums braced in the middle of the car, the 
material used being 2 by 4 inch scantling. When this method is 
