174 llississijyjyi' Valley Horticultural Society. 



Of course, all the berries shipped do not arrive in such order as to justify 

 much rehandling, but the good and firm berries seldom reach the consumer 

 in the original package. 



To sum up, then, the question of package best suited for strawberries, 

 raspberries and blackberries, is a full standard quart in cases of twenty-four 

 each — with the exception of red raspberries, which should always be picked 

 and shipped in pint boxes, in crates containing twenty-four each, of the same 

 standard capacity with quarts. Use the broad or flat quart and pint. Do not 

 be tempted to use the deep and small measures. Fill the measure full 

 and rounding. Have the cases made scpiarely and neatly, just large enough 

 to hold the quarts and pints in their proper places, with the covers not to 

 exceed half an inch above the quart boxes. With the covers fasten on each 

 end on the top a half-inch strip, one inch wide. This will permit ventila- 

 tion, to some extent, when loaded into the car. The square quart box al- 

 luded to, known to manufacturers as the " Halleck," is, in my judgment, 

 the best. In some parts of Missouri, Arkansas and elsewhere, the long quart 

 with a single straight piece for the bottom, known as the " Leslie," is used ; 

 and, being quicker made, for one thing, and holding rather over a full quart 

 measure for another, finds favor with both shipper and consignee. Yet the 

 fact remains that a great many of the bottoms slip out from the corner fast- 

 enings, the weight and juice of the berries softening the wood so as to make 

 it bend itself out of shape, and then comes the mischief to the poor berries 

 and all concerned. 



Use your own brand, or consignee's stencil and number, put carefully on 

 the top and also on both ends; note on any box not full the number empty ; 

 always send a bill or statement — put in an envelope, and nail under the lid. 

 projecting an inch or so to be readily seen by the consignee— giving the 

 amount of the shipment, and noting the quality by some private mark on 

 the box ; give in a brief way what you expect to send next day. Saturdays 

 are considered the poorest market days; but few re-shipments can be made 

 by the consignee to advantage, and the local market with him has to be 

 crowded with arrivals of that day; make no shijiments to arrive on Sunday. 



Within a month your shipments of strawberries will begin, and for six 

 weeks or so, we of the North will be depending on you for strawberries. We 

 expect you will send us good fruit, and that it will reach us in good condi- 

 tion, and we do not hesitate to say that the prices will be satisfactorj^ 



In this connection, the safe and speedy transportation of our perishable 

 products becomes one of the leading questions. Where it is possible, let 

 one or more growers combine to load a car, and see to the handling and 

 loading, that it be done carefully, and so stowed away as to secure ventilation 

 throughout. Brace and protect the cases, so that they shall not move or be 

 disturbed; by adopting this plan yovi will relieve the express companies of 

 much abuse, the employes who are so unmercifully scored for lack of care in 

 handling; and while I would not relieve them of one iota of blame, the 

 greatest cause of complaint comes from the necessity of handling large 



