PACKING OF APPLES AND PEARS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 29 May 1930, Page 9

PACKING OF APPLES AND PEARS

SOME FAULTS AND HOW TO UEMEDY THEM

(By J. A. Campbell, Director of the Horticulture Division, in the "Journal of Horticulture".)

The following comments nrc made and instructions given for the benefit and guidance of packers of fruit for export, with a view to correcting misconceptions that appear to exist and for the purpose of remedying faults in our packing system that have manifested themselves during the season, particularly with respect to the size of fruits frequently found in the maximum and minimum packs.

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM PACKS

Some of the unsatisfactory maximum and minimum packs of apples are no doubt due to an incorrect application of the i-in. variation allowed ill sizing; but the majority are apparently due to a desire on the part of the packer to work off larger fruits in the maximumsize packs than the size legitimately constituting the respective pack. This is done by including in the pack a certain proportion of apples smaller than the size the pack calls for, thus making room for the inclusion of a proportion of larger ones than should go to that pack. This practice not only results in a pack faulty as to sizing, but defeats to some extent the fixing of the maximum size of a,particular variety, inasmuch as it enables apples larger than regulation to be exported. The reverse applies to the packing of minimum-sized apples. When the minimum size for extra fancy and fancy

grades stood at 234 it was urged that this limit excluded many 2,'jin. fruits, by reason of the fact that it took 2\ in. with a considerable proportion of 'larger apples for a 234 pack to properly lill a bushel export ease. As an offset to this contention il was claimed that were the next smaller pack allowed—• namely, 252—apples decidedly below 2|in, 'would be packed. This was refuted by those advocating the 252 pack, and in support of this contention measured apples of were packed as a demonstration, and it was claimed that 252 of these adequately filled an export case. In consequence of this the minimum size for the grades referred to- was io duceel Io a 252 pack. Unfortunately, however, the contention that such a pack would result in apples appreciably smaller than 2Hn. being included has been amply verified. Growers in the main are abandoning their original argument that their desire for this pack was to get rid of their 2£in. apples only, and have fallen back on the count together with the sizing privileges of a £in. variation. Thus if apples pack 252, the actual range of sizes permissible in the case according to the variation of gin. in our sizing regulations is up to 2|in. This render-, ing of the situation is detrimental to our packing standards, but unfortunately the trouble docs not cease there, for undoubtedly some growers wilfully employ this pack for the purpose of using up their smaller apples, effecting this by including apples considerably larger than 2£in., thus making room for apples considerably less than apples 2in. and under are not uncommon in these packs. To overcome the position that has arisen the following procedure will in future apply: The existing variation of |in. sizing will stand, but in all cases of maximum and minimum packs such varations must be upward, not downward. In other words, the size of fruit indicated on the packing chart in connection with any maximum or.minimum will be taken : as the correct size for the pack, and no fruit of a smaller sizereasonable allowance for error excepted —must be included* in the pack; any variation must be toward a large rather than a smaller sized fruit. For instance, a 252 pack requires a 2i in. apple, sonsequently (reasonable allowance for error excepted) no apple of this pack must be smaller than 2£in. On the other hand, a 96 pack requires a 3in. apple, consequently where 96 represents the maximum-size pack no apples less than 3in. in size must be included in this pack, plus, of course, reasonable allowance for error in sizing. The foregoing, where applicable, also applies to the packing of pears.

FAULTY BULGES Then there is the matter of faulty bulges in connection with the full-sized export case. Too great a percentage of these are coming forward with the bulge almost entirely confined to the top of the case. Apart from advi;:e given by local officers, this fault las been publicly referred to on several occasions. It is not sufficient for a packer to wrap and methodically but "lightly place the fruit in the case. It is true that fruit requires to ho carefully handled, consequently this method of packing is to be commended; b'.'t when the case has been half-filled the contents should be firmly pressed down and consolidated in such a way as to bulge the bottom boards, and the same procedure should follow when the packing of the case has been completed. A lightly packed case with the last layer of fruit almost wholly above the level of the sides of the box, jf sent forward to the nailing-press in this manner, must be termed a faulty pack, for not only are the apples of the top layer likely to be cut when the pressure of the lidding-machine is exerted, but the flexibility of the lid is such as to cause it to fall into place before the contents of the case have been, properly adjusted, leaving a big bulge on top and a small one on the bottom.

Our present export case has been designed so that the top and bottom boards, while sufficiently rigid to hold the contents of a properly packed case firmly in position ,are flexible enough to bend into position without undue injury to the fruit. Were the top boards stiff enough to adjust under pressure the,contents of a case packed as previously indicated, so that the bottom boards would be sufficiently bulged, they would be too rigid for the welfare of the fruit. As it is, the adjustment of the lid in the nailing-press cannot be relied upon to equalise the bulge unless previously assisted by the packer in the manner indicated. In view of the fact that a reasonably equal bulge between the top and bottom of a packed case is readily secured with a little care, and that unequal bulges are objectionable from several points of view, officers of the Agriculture Department at the various inspection points will in future withhold all such faulty cases submitted for export until readjustments have been made. It is well to note, further, that when fruit-cases are being made up, if there is any noticeable difference in the flexibility in the boards intended for tops and bottoms, the more flexible should be used as bottoms.