The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-01-18

higher by six inches than when received and as it
stands on the packing floor, whichis two feet be-
low the other. and the hopper extends over the
higher floor it is att the most height to
put fruit into The sizer runs by foot power and
with the bin arrangement forms as perfect a
system of sizing as can we'll be devised. The
bins run parallel with the szer and their bottoms
slant to the front. The packing tables are not
so heavy but that they are easily moved from
bin to bin
have a device for washing oranges but have
found but little use for it on my hamm ock fruit.
The fruit is placed in printed wrappers with my
private brand upon them and then packed snugly
to one-half to three-fourths inches above the
sides, according to size Of Orenges. This season
/ try lining my boxes with striped paper, though
1 am not at all sure that it is best to do
display card for the retail merchant is placed in
each box. From the packing table the boxes go
to the floor and slide against stops under press
of my own devising made of two steel plates so
bent as to bear only next the straps and these
are hung to double lever that is hinged to the
wall and held up out of the way, when not in use,
by an automatic catch. With a movement of
the thumb the lever is freed and being brought
down over the box the operator sits upon it athis
while mailing, taking his nailsfrom box fast
ene0 to the wall Q1fecUIy In 1rOnU OInlm. Inc DOX
is then ended up trimmed OF all rOughness or pro-
iectons with smoo thing plane then marked with
one of the new roller printing devices, or fancy
stencil containing my address and private brand.
For making boxes Ihave invented alittle device
my friends consider ahead of any they have yet
seen. though by a little more expense it can be
greatly improved. 1t takes the box heads readily,
holds them true until the box is finished and
strapped and then easily tips out Its cost is a
mere tri1e of a dollar or two, it weighs but few
pounds, can be taken under the arm and carried
long distances
bench. table, floor or the ground. The heads are
held by springs, that allow of variation FROM
right angles if desired, and either full or half
boxes can be made equally well upon it,
strap all my boxes with saw palmetto stems
that have been cured to a very tough condition
and then run through leather splitter. to take
Off part Of the rounded side, and bring them
all to a uniform thickness. The ends are fastened
with doubled pointed t&cks which gives finish
and prevents splitting. They help to make d
very neat package and are distinctive mark OF
Florida fruit.
For handling full boxesI have sent to the Ames
PloW Co., of Boston, for a truck such as | lately
saw at Mr.. Simpsons packing house at Board
man. 1t is light and handy, will take two boxes
at time and has the wheels betW cen the bear
in going through narrow places
The above has been written in hurry at 81
very busy season by the earnest request OF eye
editor If there is anything of use to anyone
they are more than welcome to it but if they
write me for long descriptions or more working
plans hope it will be borne in mind that am
an exceedingly busy man and shall, from press
of work, be compelled to delay replies until my
return from the Worlds Fair next fall, or later.
OF the type of packing houses where power is
used and fruit is shipped in one or more car load
lots each day. those of +. G. Sampson OF Board
man, and S. G. Warner, of EsperanZa, Palatka
P. o., are the finest types that l have
seen. At these the Warner wrapper and printing
machine may be seen in successful use, Mr.. Samp.
son having eight of them and turning off three
car loads of fruit per day when [ was last at his
packing house. W. S. HART
I send drafts of my field boxes and box machine
They simple as to be made by anyone handy
with tools. Common wire door springs can be