Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-16

grazing must De practleed. MOT only
does this mean that an the worfnysss'
bruised and fmperfeet fruit must be
culled out, but it also means that the
perfect fruit must be graded, as to size
and color, so that when the pack IS
completed the apples will be uniform
throughout.
In the West the Unions send out
their own packers headed by a fore
man whose duty it is to see that the
fruit is properly graded as It comes to
the packing table. No grower is per-
mitted to pack his own fruit, and it is
to this precaution that the high prices
for western fruit is partially due.
In connection with grading, I think
that all choice and fancy apples should
be wiped before they are packed.
Where the spray adheres to the fruit,
it presents an unattractive appearance
and cheapens it in the eye Of the con-
sumner. If the fruit is bright and at
tractive, more people are influenced to
purchase, with the result that there is
am Increased CONSUMPTION, and, conse-
|queIitly, an increased demand.
Demand is what we are looking for
land we will never be able to increase
that rapidly by putting poorly coll
|ored, poorly graded and poorly packed
fruit on the market.
AL boxed fruit should be wrapped
The paper not only prevents the spread
of decay, but also keeps the fruit from
Slipping and sliding during trar1spor-
tation, insuring heater and more at
tractive appearance upon opening
When a man becomes familiar with
wrapping, the box can be packed JUS
as rapidly and often more so as there
is less slipping after the tier is nearly
completed, the paper holding the fruit
firmly in place.
1t Is not the custom to wrap the
barrel fruit in paper because of the
great expense, consequently it will not
reach the market in as good condition:
| this is especially true of such varieties
as the Mcintosh ana Jonathan which
bruise very easily.
That the poor condition of tho fruit
on arrival Is due, partially at least. &c
the manner Of packing was clearly
seen at the Boston Fruit Show Fruit
of the same quality and size was re-
Iceiyed in both good and bad condition
even when shipped by the same meth
DDS and equal distances. On inspect
ing the pack, however. we would flint
that one man had used the right pack
the apples fitting closely; that the
other had either used the wrong style
of pack or had not used any care II
packing. allowing the fruit room te
move about and bruise. This was
more often the case; too, when papers
had not been used. After q little ex-
perience the grower can tell at 6
glance which style of pack to use ant
will know whether or not layer paper
will be necessary in order to get the
right height of ends.
/ The question came up as 10 whether
or not all varieties are fit to pack in
boxes. Personally, I do not favor the
idea of trying to pack some of our in
ferior quality varieties in boxes. The
Ben Davis, Gano, etc, seem to me bet
ter adapted to the barrel especially
since they suffer comparatively little
harm from hard pressing, and are not
fit for long transportation.
AS it Hooks to me at the present time
the choice and fancy fruit that is moi
too large should be shipped in boxes;
the poorer grades, inferior quality va
rieties and extra large fruit should
continue to be shipped in barrels: and
no matter what package is used we
should grade each apple honestly and
conscientsously.