The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1913-08-15

system of grading that has been used
in Ashland formerly, | believe, is very
satisfactory. Their peach grade
known as fancy contains GA or less
peaches to the box. The second grade,
known as 'A1' contains from GA to 80
to the box. The third grade, known
as B, grade, contains 80 to 90 peach
es to the box. All the fruit in these
grades must be free from fungi, split
pits and worms, and all are very care
fully wrapped in paper.
In many sections of the United
States they pack smaller peaches than
the 92s. Some as small as the 108s
are used, but there is very little money
in such small peaches, and one had
better not try to ship them to the open
market. There will be more money
made by leaving them at home.
Smaller peaches and peaches contain
ing some imperfections are often put
in boxes without being wrapped and
are sold for pies and canning, or dis
posed of to advantage locally. l
would recommend that smaller peaches
than the 92s be not shipped, as / doubt
if it would warrant the freight and ex-
press charges. There might be sea-
sons when the peach crop was very
light that one could realize profit on
such small peaches, but only under
such conditions.
In packing peaches in boxes, avoid
what is known as straight pack. In
the straight pack each peach in the
second layer comes directly above the
peach in the bottom layer. This
makes considerable bruising. Pack
what is known as the diagonal pack,
the 2-3, 3-3. These throw the second
layer into the spaces left in the first
layer The 4-5 is used with some
smaller grades. The 4-5 pack, how
ever, has not received much favor in
the market, too many open spaces be-
ing left on the sides of the boxes.
tThe 2-3 pack will be put up in the
following way. Start with the end of
the box, bottom layer, and put three
peaches down against the end of the
box, the first peach going up against
one side of the end, the second touch
ing the opposite side and end, and the
third peach will be directly between
the second and first. Then take the
two peaches for your second row and
fit them in between the three. Your
third row will have three fitting in
against the two, etc. So every other
row in the box will be 80, 3-2, 3-2,
etc. The second layer will be just the
opposite, starting two and fitting them
down into the little spaces that are
left by placing three in the first row
of the bottom layer. When your box
is done if you count your rows the
'"ng way of the box you will have
seven peaches in every row and there
will be five such rows in each layer.
"The 3-3 pack differs from the for
mer in only one respect; every short
layer of the box has three peaches and
yor long rows will vary. The first
row will have peaches, the second s,
third 8, fourth 8, fifth and sixth,S.
"Be sure that your peaches are so
packed that when the covers are nailed
on the boxes they cannot rattle and
move in any way. If you can run
your hand in under the covers and rat
tie the peaches around, you can rest
assured that they will arrive in the
market in poor condition. The fact
that you can use this test of your box
allows you to get a good firm pack.
Cleat your covers securely. In warm
sections of the state it will not be
bad plan to have small holes bored in
the sides of the peach boxes. This
will allow little better ventilation.
"In wrapping your peaches with pa
per, wrap them as smoothly as posi-
BILE. The first layer you put into the
box, put the smooth side down. In
the second layer, put the smooth side
of the wrapper up, so that no matter
whether the bottom or top of the box
is opened, it will present an attrac-
tive appearance.
"The paper that you use in wrap
ping peaches should be rather heavy
tissue, and the size varies, 7x7 and
7xS. This paper is of great assist
ance in keeping the peaches clean
and absorbs the extra moisture and
will allow you to make your pack firm.
Peach packing is something in which
you will easily become skilfull, with
little experience. The points which
you will need to emphasize most, how
ever, are to grade carefully, throw out
all culls, leave the small peaches at
home, and be sure your pack is firm. f"