The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1920-01-09

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 op-
crate on a different principle than that
employed in barreled apple-sizing ma
chimes. 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,
"a to 2$ inches and 2R inches and
larger. There are a 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 DURABLE
ity of the machine should also be con-
sidered. The various methods OF feed
ing the fruit to the sizing machine
should also fbe studied carefully, as it
influences directly the total daily out
put and consequently the cost of OPP
Grafton. Only small machines car be
operated by hand power. Some OF the
simplest types having a capacity or
perhaps 100 barrels a day can be u
in this way, but in most cases the gas
oline engine or electric motor is pref
cradle.
The apple grower raising n 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 a comparatively recent devel-
j Opment. The present federal law,
2 known as the Sulzer law, took effect
l July 1, 1913, and at about the same
time q number of states also passed
t laws. For several seasons the state
t 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
l degree of enforcement in different
L states has varied markedly. Further
, more, fruit from many of the states
!. having these state laws frequently ap
i pears in the same markets and the ust
. of identical grade terms having differ
l. ent meanings in different states ha'
= In a way defeated the purpose Of tn
II law. In spite of these objections, how
II ever, a state law that is practical il
it's specifications and ~intelligently en-
forced will carry with it many advan
u tages.
Ii The grower who feels the need o
4 a packing house will find suggestion
IL in the section of the bulletin devOte'
'e to designs of such buildings. Floo
IS plans of various types are suggested
One provides for an output Of 20
> barrels a day. and a second plan show
a house equipped with three gradin
machines having a total capacity o
a. 1000 barrels a day. A third plan prt
re vides for an output from two machine
I'd with a total capacity Of 100 barrels
in day.
IN Partial suggestions relating to hau
e. ing concludes the bulletin. AS a larg
is part of the barrel crop Of the countr
is. is packed in the orchard, 1t is necet
sary to haul the packed fruit from tw
to fifteen miles. Under many cond
he lions, especially where roads are Fl
op vorable, motortrucks are best suite
for this work. The farm wagon MOI
rk commonly used is equipped with eitht
lis an ordinary wagon bed or a three-po
y, frame, and has a capacity of Is ba
lst rels. Both types of wagon should
IS equipped with springs, preferably be
ap ster springs, for careful handling
Ia the packed fruit is quite as importal
ar as care in the packing operations.