176 
AMERICAN POMOEOGICAE SOCIETY 
“I, myself, have used a mechanical grader for the past three years with 
much satisfaction. During the season just past we have made our best 
grade a minimum size, two and one-half inches. Our second size was from 
two and one-eighth to two and one-half inches; those below two and one- 
eighth were discarded. This sizing was all done by the machine at the rate 
of fifty to sixty barrels per hour. The fruit is not injuredin any way and the 
culls are picked out as they are being carried by on a moving canvas. With 
a machine of this kind unskilled men of fair intelligence can be used suc- 
cessfully in packing a reliable grade of fruit.” 
“Mechanical graders are used only by a few large commercial growers. 
They are now practical and efficient and make possible much more even 
grading than is done by the constantly changing and untrained men who are 
employed in orchard work.” 
“I know a few fruit-growers who are using mechanical graders with 
success. I believe in the future there will be still more used.” 
The above statements are favorable to the graders, but this was not true 
in the case of all the replies, the machine being condemned by some. The 
prevailing opinion, as it is expressed in forty replies may be summarized as 
follows: 
Favorable 37%% 
Neutral 32%% 
Unfavorable 30% 
It is evident that the growers are convinced of the possibilities of the 
mechanical graders. 
It is desirable to know the increase in the value of fruit thus graded. 
The experience of growers gives us a suggestion only, but I 1 think this sug- 
gestion is worthy of mention. To quote again from some of the replies: 
“In practice we find that we can get more for a quantity of fruit by 
keeping the two and one-half inch and three inch separate than by mixing 
them. The first of August we established grades and prices and have 
changed neither since. 
“No. l’s $2.00 per bushel 
No. 2’s 1.50 per bushel 
No. 3’s 1.00 per bushel 
No. 4’s 75 per bushel 
“Grades one to three, inclusive, differ in size only.” 
“In our sales we made fifty cents per barrel difference between the l’s 
and 2’s, the grades differing in size. No. l’s, two and one-half inch up, and 
No. 2’s, two to two and one-half inches.” 
Prices of Different Size Apples. 
About two years ago the Department of Pomology addressed a letter 
to most of the commission merchants in the United States, and among other 
questions were these: 
(a) What difference would there be per barrel in price between a lot 
of two inch and two and one-half inch apples? 
(b) Between a lot of two and one-half inch and three inch apples? 
