SANITARY CONTROL OF TOMATO-CANNING FACTORIES. 15 
This series of observations, which extended over a continuous 
period of 28 minutes, shows a variation of from 0 to 44 bushels per 
minute. The table shows that during the 28 minutes there were 
five periods of from 1 to 9 minutes each (aggregating a total of 194 
minutes) during which no tomatoes at all were dumped into the 
washer. From the washer the tomatoes were removed by a conveyor 
to the sorting apron. This tended to equalize the variation some- 
what, but there was still great irregularity as the tomatoes were 
delivered finally for sorting. Although the average rate was only 
about 66 bushels per hour, there were periods when the observed 
rate amounted to 270. Such variation makes it practically impossible 
to obtain uniform results in sorting. 
In dumping directly on the sorting apron the workmen often 
become careless and the tomatoes pass to the sorters in piles inter- 
spersed with vacant areas. In some plants one of the workmen is 
assigned to the task of regulating the rate at which the tomatoes are 
fed from the dumping board to the apron, but even this is not wholly 
satisfactory. An attempt has been made to overcome this difficulty 
by providing a mechanical device in the form of a feeding hopper, 
and although this device has not been tested thoroughly, it gives 
promise of relief. This feeding hopper consists of a short conveyor 
18 inches wide and about 42 inches long, inclosed at the sides by 
boards extending 6 inches above the apron. It is so regulated that it 
travels 3 feet per minute. The conveyor or hopper thus made is kept 
rounding full and so placed as to deliver the tomatoes to the sorting 
apron with as little drop as possible. With these specifications as 
to size and speed, such a feeder, if kept full, will deliver 120 bushels 
of tomatoes per hour to the sorting apron at a regular speed. This 
is about the amount that can be handled satisfactorily on a sorting 
apron operated by 6 good sorters. Although this device as yet has 
been tested only in an experimental way under factory conditions, 
the results appear encouraging. 
TURNING DEVICES. 
For good sorting it is important that during the process all sides 
of each tomato be subjected to inspection. In 1911 the writer pointed 
out? the desirability of a mechanical device to turn the tomatoes 
over while they are on the apron. Some firms manufacturing ma- 
chinery and several packers have undertaken to accomplish this in 
various ways. Of the forms applicable to the simple apron a certain 
device used in one plant.has such merit that a description of it should 
prove valuable. Its simplicity, cheapness, and effectiveness, together 
1Tomato Ketchup under the Microscope. U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Chem. Circ. 68, 
Feb. 18, 1911. 
