Arizona state miner., 1919-11-28
BIG AMOUNT OF BARRELED APPLES REACH
MARKET EACH FALL IMPAIRED IN QUALITY

ploH InlO the barrel. While work
can be done rather rapidly with this
taOie' 1t is not altogether satisfactory,
as the fruit frequently crowds past
the sorters and permits carelessness
on their part. The canvas or burlap
taole is made with a piece of this ma
| teflal stretched over a rectangular
1rame' and is not fitted for running
Ine 1fult from the apron into the bar
rel Ihe apples must be sorted by
mana into baskets in which they are
lowered into barrels. The advantage
OF this is that all apples are subject to
careful inspection.
sizing machines for barrel apples
are gaining popularity. They have
oeen used in the Northwest for several
years for sizing boxed apples, but op-
crate on different principle than that
employed in barreled apple-sizing ma
chlnes. At present sizing machines
are belng used quite extensively for
Darfel packing in all sections to meet
the demand for apples of uniform size.
Ihe most common practice throughout
the barrel apple sections is to sepa-
rate the fruit into two standard sizes,
IA to 27a inches and 21s inches and
larger. There are a variety Of ma
chlnes employed to do this work, each
featuring some distinctive mechanical
device or sorting process. In general,
any OF these will size apples satisfac-
torily for barrel packing. In making
a selection, the apple grower must de-
termine which machine has a capacity
propOrtionate to the size of his or
chard and can be operated most eco
nomically. He should also look for
| one of simple design and free from
features requiring too much adjust
ment, and should make sure that it
will not bruiSe the fruit. The durabil-
ity of the machine should also be con-
| sidered. The various methods of feed
ing the fruit to the sizing machine
should also be studied carefully, as it
influences directly the total daily out
put and consequently the cost of op-
Grafton. Only small machines can be
operated by hand power. Some of the
simplest types having a capacity of
perhaps 100 barrels a day can be run
in this way, but in most cases the gas
oline engine or electric motor is pref
erable.
The apple grower raising any con-
siderable quantity of fruit should give
careful attention to the advantages of
mechanical conveyors, which save
much labor both in handling loose
fruit and light packages.
Operation of Grading Laws.
The enactment of grading laws for
apples is comparatively recent devel-
opment. The present federal law.
known as the Sulzer law, took effect
July l, 1913, and at about the same
time a number Of states also passed
laws. For several seasons the state
laws have not been entirely success
| full in obtaining results desired. Many
were enacted hurriedly, and most of
them contained provisions not consist
ent with commercial practices. The
degree Of enforcement in different
states has varied markedly. Further
more, fruit from many of the states
udNILiS lucSO Sldl0 laws frequently aD-
pears in the same markets and the use
Of identical grade terms having differ
ent meanings in different states has
In way defeated the purpose of the
law. In spite Of these objections, how
ever, state law that is practical in
Its specifications and intelligently en-
forced will carry with it many advan-
tages.
The grower who feels the need OF
packing house will find suggestions
in the section of the bulletin devoted
to designs of such buildings. Floor
plans of various types are suggested.
One provides for an output of 200
barrels day, and second plan shows
house equipped with three grading
machines having a total capacity of
1,20O barrels a day. A third plan pro-
vides for an output from two machines
with total capacity Of 100 barrels
day.