OCR Text |
Show SIZING MACHINES NEED GRADE BELT Although a mechanical grading machine is not an essential in packing apples, yet for a large crop of good quality, such a machine may be an economy, especially if it has a grading belt attachment, according to Prof. Joseph Oskamp at the New York State College of Agriculture at Ithaca, N. Y. The term "grading machine" Is a misnomer, mis-nomer, according to Professor Oskamp, for they are really sizing machines, and for this reason merely relieve the operator of any concern about the size of the fruit being graded. The grading belt attachment is thus one of the most important factors of running run-ning these machines, because it speeds up the sorting out of the defective de-fective fruit In the process of packing pack-ing and makes it more accurate. High quality fruit not only brings more money but Is more quickly and cheaply packed. Therefore, If there is a large percentage of culls it Is often wise to sell the crop orchard run without grading it Where the crop runs 85 per cent A grade, it can be packed for about one-third less than where there are 70 per cent or less of A grade fruit, he says. Proper care in orchard management and proper spraying should produce a crop which will run SO per cent or more A grade. It Is very Important that the fruit In the barrel should be packed tightly, and to accomplish this the barrel should be shaken several times to settle the apples. Overfilling will not take the place of racking, and, at the same time, it results In needless bruising bruis-ing of the fruit In a properly racked and packed barrel the fruit need project pro-ject but slightly above the chime. |