The Bulletin. 13 



exists in the shipping of produce. Cost of transportation is affected 

 by the actual weight of the packages handled. Usually hardwood veneer 

 is used in the construction of most fruit and vegetable packages. It 

 has been found that material of this character will make the lightest and 

 at the same time most durable package at the lowest price. 



The cost of packages is another point worthy of some thought. While 

 attractiveness, weight and durability are important considerations, cheap- 

 ness must also be considered. The time has come when the better grades 

 of fruit and vegetables are put up in special packages that go with the 

 sale of the product. The increasing demands of the trade for produce 

 in "gift packages" has been the means of creating strong competition 

 among manufacturers. As a result prices have been reduced, and in 

 most localities growers have comparatively easy access to a sufficient 

 supply of desirable packages. Fig. 3 shows some of the modern "gift 

 packages" as commonly used in shipping fruits and vegetables. 



At present there are no packages universally recognized as legally 

 standard, yet the one characteristic most notable of the American pack- 

 age is its uniformity. Although many poorly constructed, "short," infe- 

 rior packages are still found on the markets, it will be only a question 

 of time before this type will become so thoroughly unpopular that the 

 unscrupulous grower and packer who desires to use them will be com- 

 pelled to recognize the demands of the trade regarding uniformity, or 

 go out of business. "While uniformity is a marked characteristic of the 

 American package, a great many growers fail to grasp the importance 

 of this point. They ship produce in packages that may answer the 

 requirements of their local markets, but that do not comply with the 

 demands of distant markets. As a result, dissatisfaction arises between 

 the grower and buyer. The buyer discriminates against this produce, 

 the grower becomes discouraged, and the business that might have be- 

 come very profitable is given up in disgust, all on account of the disre- 

 gard, on the part of the grower, of market requirements. Growers should 

 become familiar with the conditions and preferences of the markets on 

 which they expect to place their produce. The business of marketing 

 fruit and vegetables has become so well developed that there is no reason 

 why one should not be thoroughly acquainted with the present require- 

 ments and conditions of any market. Buyers, commission merchants 

 and produce dealers in general are always willing to furnish growers 

 with any information regarding the preparation of fruit and vegetables 

 for sale and the most desirable packages to use in placing these products 

 on the markets. If growers would visit the markets to which they send 

 their products they would become better acquainted with existing con- 

 ditions and preferences, and be enabled to prepare their fruits and vege- 

 tables to the better satisfaction of both the buyer and themselves. 



Recently, inquiries were sent to buyers and commission merchants of 

 representative Eastern markets, from Florida to Massachusetts, regard- 

 ing the most desirable kinds of packages to use in marketing the prin- 

 cipal fruits and vegetables grown in this State. Without an exception, 

 each reply showed clearly the necessity of using uniform packages. To 

 quote from William Gamble & Co., of New York City: "We know, from 

 our long experience in the business, that best results are always obtained 

 when goods are put up in substantial, uniform, well-filled packages. 



