THE BOX PACKAGE; ITS USE AND LIMITATIONS 245 



the eastern apple growers have tried the box package. There have been 

 more failures than successes. It is evident that the east is not yet 

 ready for the box as a universal apple package; that under certain 

 conditions the barrel is far preferable. Each grower must decide this 

 matter for himself, having in mind the following points: 



Comparison of Box and Barrel. 



1. Quantity of Fruit. — It is probably true that the box is a more 

 convenient quantity of fruit for the "ultimate consumer," who has re- 

 cently received so much attention by tariff makers, than the barrel. 

 Over 30 per cent of our population now live in cities, and the percentage 

 of city dwellers is increasing with each census. A majority of the city 

 and town people, constituting the main market for fruits, have no cool 

 cellar in which fruit can be stored. Their storage facilties are limited 

 to the refrigerator. They wish to buy only such a quantity of fruit 

 as will keep at the ordinary temperature of the house while being used. 

 Under such conditions the box is a more convenient package than the 

 barrel. A large basket of the Climax type, holding about a peck, would 

 be more convenient still, especially for summer and autumn apples. On 

 the other hand, there is a large demand for apples in bigger bulk, not 

 only because of the custom of years, but also for the winter supply of 

 those who have a cool cellar, and for export. Certain varieties carry 

 better across the water in barrels than in boxes, because the latter 

 permit the entrance of salt air. 



2. Cost of Packages. — On the Pacific coast apple boxes cost from 

 6 to 9 cents, knocked down. As three boxes can be packed out of one 

 barrel, at that price the boxes are cheaper than the barrel. In the east 

 we pay from 11 to 21 cents per box. In Virginia boxes cost 10 to 12 

 cents, in INIinneapolis, Minn., 14 cents, while Mr. Robert Brodie of 

 Montreal states that his boxes cost 21 cents. The price of barrels in the 

 east, this fall, ranges from 30 to 45 cents, with an average of about 

 35 cents. Bought knocked down in carload lots they have cost certain 

 growers 28 to 29 cents. The inferior quality of some eastern made boxes, 

 as noted previously, should also be considered. The comparative cost 

 of barrels and boxes is a local problem, and each grower will have 

 to get estimates. 



3. Grading and Packing. — The fundamental difference between the 

 two types of packages is here. The box encourages, and almost en- 

 forces, uniform grading, while the barrel permits carelessness in this 

 respect. The cost of packing is also an item. Where a very large 

 quantity of fruit is packed by specially trained men, it costs little if 

 any more for labor to pack in boxes than in barrels. But the small 

 grower, and especially one who has been accustomed to the barrel pack, 

 will find that it costs from one-third to one-half more to pack in boxes 

 than in barrels. It should be noted also that very small, or otherwise 

 inferior fruit, seldom if ever yields as high returns in the box pack as 

 in the barrel pack. Only the large sizes go well in boxes, whether 



