Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1911-08-19
ADVICE TO
FRUIT GROWERS
Care in the Packing Of Apples, Peaches
and Pears Increases Their
Market Value.
COST OF GOOD METHODS SMALL
Fancy Labels are Good Advertisement
BEST Fruit Should Be Shipped

The latter part of August and
the beginning of September is "a
busy time for ranchers and towns
people who have orchards, and they
following suggestions on the pick
ing and packing of apples will be
found timely:
To begin with, packages or boxes
for 6rst-class apples should be new
and clean. 1t is we'll to line boxes
with paper and either use layer
board between the layers OF apples.
or wrap each apple in paper. Both
STYLES of packing are In use by |
first-class apple growers; Hood |
River seems to prefer the layer
board, while Wenatchee uses most
" the individual wrapper. and
some use both for extra long ship
ments. The cost per box is trifing
: and the difference in appearance
and keeping qualities is great.
A fancy label is nice, and is
good advertisement. especially
where the fruit is to be shipped to
some other market, but should
never be used except on boxes con-
tanning frst-class apples. There
are many different styles and
methods OF packing in use, adapted
to the different varieties and sizes
of apples, but the main object is to
pack a box so that the apples will
not shake around loosely and that
there will not be sufficient pressure
upon them to bruise them seriously
To accom- lish this it is necessary
ito select for the central portion OF
the box apples slightly larger than
those placed at each end, which
will give the central portion of the
top layer a slight projection OF
bulge above the edge OF the box
This bulge should be about one
inch or slightly more, but at eacf
end-the apples should be only fiust
with the top edge. Then when th'
top boards are put on they vii
bend or spring enough to hold tn
pack firm and yet not brulse tn
apples.
Some apples look better packe'
with the blossom end uppermosi
while others make the best pac
with the side or cheek on the to
of each layer The packer ca
work this out for himself, but eac
layer should be like all the other
in the same box.
No doubt an instructor ia tn
art would be great help to ID
beginner, yet fair progress can /
made by patient experiment an
good taste. For first-class result
Il is we'll to wipe the apples clea
before packing. This can be dor
while asserting without much exit
work, and is almost necessary whe
spraying has been none while Il
fruit was on the tree.
Space will not permit desert
ton of the different styles of pac
but there is one point which Il
best packers try to make. and tb
is to have heapples in the differe
layers alternate with each 9th
instead of resting directly on L
of each other. After packing al
mailing up, boxes should be stack
on their sides instend of top a.
bottom, as the stiff boards compt
ing the sides prevent any pressu
upon the contents.
A mailing press for holding dol
the ends of the top boards VIII
they are nailed is an appliar
that is gerry convenient and aim
necessary for good work. Tn
can be purchased of manufs
urers, but can generally be- c.
structed at home at a small CO
Box nails of the right size
important, the FIVE penny regu
box nail being good one. Pa
costs from three cents to five &c
per box and the process of pack
perhaps ten cents for beginn
though it is claimed experts
pack for five cents per box
make big wages. But man
usually obtain twenty five ca
more per box for his apples
other box fruit il we'll packed,
sides finding a ready market.