Strawberries. 313 



his fruits to a liiglier state of perfection on the vines than when he is obliged 

 to ship long distances without such appliances. For that reason alone this 

 method of handling should be encouraged, as it gives the consumer a higher 

 grade product. The great expense connected with this system of shipment 

 means high prices to the consumer. Under present conditions it costs from 

 10 to 13 cents per quart to ship strawberries in refrigerator carriers from 

 central Florida to the New York market. Add to this the commission for selling, 

 and the fruit must sell for at least 25 cents per quart, in order that the grower 

 may get a fair price for his product. With the existing express rates, 6 to 8 

 cents f. o. b. cars at shipping point is a better remuneration for the grower 

 than 25 cents wholesale in New York City. 



EECEPTACLES. 



Whether it is to be shipped in crates or refrigerator carriers or to be carried 

 to the local market, for best results the fruit should not be rehandled after it is 

 picked. The pickers should be trained to do the necessary assorting and grading 

 as they pick the fruit in the receptacles in which it is to be marketed. In 

 some localities, where the fruits become greatly soiled from mud splashing over 

 them during heavy rains, growers find it advisable to assort and pack the fruits 

 in splint-wood baskets, and also to rinse them in water before assorting and 

 packing them. This is the system used by many of the most extensive and suc- 

 cessful Florida growers. 



The light splint-wood basket, liolding one quart, is the most popular and 

 most universally used. Many different forms of box or basket have been designed, 

 and various materials other than wood have been used in their construction, but 

 up to the present none has met with general adoption. 



As above stated, tlie refrigerator carrier is almost universally used for long- 

 distance shipment. For shorter hauls, not more than a night's ride, tlie ordinary 

 slat crate, holding 24 to 36 quart boxes, is very popular ; it is also the package 

 in general use for local marketing. 



TICKING. 



In the commercial production of strawberries considerable numbers of per- 

 sons have to be employed in picking the fruit and as this work is usually paid 

 for by the quart it becomes necessary to have some system of keeping account 

 of the work done by each individual. Different growers employ different schemes. 

 Some issue a clieck or card for each quart of berries harvested, and when a cer- 

 tain number liave been obtained by tlie picker these are exclianged for one of 

 larger denomination. This has the advantage of reducing the number of quart 

 checks necessary. The one objection to this plan is the liability to loss on the 

 part of the pickers. Other growers use a tag similar to a shipping tag, which 

 is fastened to the clothing of the picker, and as the fruit is delivered to the 

 inspector credit for as many quarts as have been picked is punched out of the 

 tag. Others use only a system of bookkeeping, the picker delivering his fruit to 

 the inspector and depending upon the accuracy of the tallyman for tlie count. 

 The system of recording the work of each picker will largely depend upon the 

 character of the help employed and the extent of the work to be done. The 

 plan that suits the circumstances of one may not be that which will meet the 

 requirements of another. Each grower must study this problem for himself, 

 and decide upon the plan best adapted to his conditions. 



A convenience which is almost a necessity is a picking stand carrying from 

 four to six boxes. It consists of a box with four short legs which hold the 

 tray off the ground and prevent injury to the fruit, while the number of baskets 

 (four to six) allows the picker to grade the berries as gathered. 



FORCING FOR WINTER FRUIT. 



Because of the supply of Southern-grown berries which reach the markets 

 from February on, the forcing of strawberries has little to encourage it, except 



