The Dolores star., 1920-08-13

oscicnt handling OF apples
W., ,.or.ntly is the case In regions
,he crop is barrrlcd Will permit
rrowers to realize a greater re-
~, ,b.ir labor. will reduce the
Asa, comes In careless han
vi uuI bring "a better pro-
.o the consumer. according 10
norLotlons Of the United States
-.mont of agriculture. The apples
in great majority OF the
,as are shipped in barrels.
large amount Of hnrre''h iru''
,,n, the market each season Is
[,orsly Impaired in quality by being
,ot ot the wrong stage OF mntnfitS'
,oo .orrv or too late. The grow
s. re,Iiya lhnt fruit is not rendy
,,i,t,d wien II clingS to the
,-s 6, tightly that the spurs are
~, ont or broken. Furthermore, the
a, frnit which eventually turns
,s M, always n reliable index, be
rss Of differences In prevailing
a,her in different seasons. Wheth-
ar no, the red color develops nor
,uv a reliable Indication OF maturity
ground color which. when the
nj. IS ready FOR picking, should be
ming from clear green to whitish
rreenlsh yellow. Yellow, green
IA russet varleties Of apples are gen
k,llv ready TO pick when they have
toiped the proper size and the stems
p,rota readily from the spurs.
PICKING Utensils Used.
Apple growers use a variety OF pick
3 utensils. some OF which are given
keca approval 1t Is generally ad-
kntageous in removing the crop, TO
ke both sacks ana round hnlf-buShel
ssets. Us the latter are especially
knvenlent for gathering fruit near
. ground. while the sacks can be
ked hest when the picker stands up
|ght. In using sacks, special care
! ust be taken 70 avoid bruislns the
fnit. In emptying either the basket
the sack. the apples must not be
Popped II basket Is used. 1t should
lowered to the bottom OF the Ing box
other receptacle and Inverted gen
)y one type Of sack is constructed
|Ith a drop bottom. so that the fruit
bn he emptIcd without bruising.
Efficiency in picking depends con
llerahly on the use Of ladders Of the
roper type. Several varieties are
Nmmouly employed. S'cpladders are
Specially satisfactory when working
small trees and when picking from
be lower branches Of larger trees.
Whtrc the crop is packed over ia
leS that are mOven apour Int, orchard.
he fruit is usually carried in the
licking utcusil 10 the packing table.
While this is commonly done by the
lrkerS, such a prnctice should be
vodel. Certain members of the crew
honId be assigned as carriers and
hey should also furnish the pickers
'ith "mpiy r"r"ptnc'es
In small orchards. when weather Is
avorHhlc, apples are usually packed
me open, portable equipment being
seHi hut In larg" orchards and In
er'onS where the weather Is gen
rally unfayorahle the fruit Is often
acRed In central houses. tents. or
'efS. Inc Use Of packing houses
aS largely increased In recent years.
M is regarded as II favorable de-
'lopment in the apple-raising indus
~ These houses nre to be found
nom large and small orchards.
"eS hHord shelter for the acCumula-
ION %! "nPacked fruit. which can he
ohu'ed further without interruption
"e 10 unfavorable weather. They al
prevent damage 10 equipment and
achages because of rain or snow.
'"eFe there is adequate shelter there
" o"''er opportunity for installing
Tlhg machinery and other lsbor.say.
Y ueVlceS, In small orchards, when
'na,ic conditions are especially fa-
''no'e' It may he advisable to pack
u'e orchards, hut in most instances
''o' sort of shelter will insure bet
'r results.
types Of Sorting Tables.
me apron table and the canvas or
"p sorting table are used almost
',,"sFeiy where the fruit Is graded
Wv orchard and they are also used
y, 'aree extent in packing houses.
ne apron table. or n variation Of this
~ u commonly employed and has
.on. "h'ch Is Slated so that the
,o a 'a''s through. Being inclined,
s i'"'t as 1t is graded rolls to the
: r"sr end where on opening a stop
II " lowered by means OF an
nm 'n'o the barrel. While work
~, We dohe rather rnpidly with this
: d, W not altogether satisfactory.
n,,"s Wv 'rn't frequently crowds pust the
Geo., ,' encouraging careIessness. The
i'm type OF grading table is made
tra, piece Of canvas or burIap
nd l.. over a rectangular frame.
ror ""' f''led for running the fruit
nn,.. ''e apron into the barrel. The
asto, % must be sorted by nano into
o ha. IN which they are lowered In.
Al t''r.na n. Machines Much u,es.