The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1919-12-19

frame, and is not fitted for running
the fruit from the apron into the bar
rel. The apples must be sorted by
hand 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
been used in the Northwest for several
years for sizing boxed apples, but OPP
crate on different principle than that
employed In barreled apple-sizing ma
c.ines. At present sizing machines
are being used quite extensively for
barrel packing in all sections to meet
the demand for apples Of uniform size.
The most common practice throughout
the barrel apple sections is to sepa-,
rate the fruit into two standard sizes,
2A to 24 inches and PA inches and
larger. There are variety of ma
chimes 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 1t
influences directly the total daily out-
put and consequently the cost Of OPP
Grafton. Only small machines can be
operated by hand power. Some of the
simplest types having capacity Of
perhaps 100 barrels day can be run
in this way, but In most cases the gas
oline engine or electric motor Is pref
cradle.
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 1, 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
having these state laws frequently ap-
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, a state law that is practical In
It's specifications and intelligently. en-
forced will carry with 1t many advan-
tages.
The grower who feels the need OF
a 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 a second plan shows
a house equipped with three grading
machines having total capacity Of
1900 barrels day. A third plan pro-
vides for an output from two machines
with total capacity OF 100 barrels
day.
Partial suggestions relating to haul
ing concludes the bulletin. AS large
part of the barrel crop of the country
is packed in the orchard. It Is neces-
sary to haul the packed fruit from two
to fifteen miles. Under many condi-
tons, especially where roads are ia
vorable, motortrucks are best suited
for this work. The farm wagon most
commonly used Is equipped with either
an ordinary wagon bed or a three-pole |
frame, and has capacity of Is bar
rels. Both types of wagon should be |
equipped with springs, preferably boil |
ster springs. for careful handling of |
the packed fruit Is quite as important
as care In the packing operations.