MARKET SURVEY, JACKSONVILLE, FLA. 9 



Outgoing frozen-fish shipments are forwarded in 100 and 150 pound 

 pine boxes. The 100-pound box is of two sizes. One size is 263^ 

 inches long, 163^^ inches wide, and 13 inches deep, while the other is 

 26 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 11 inches deep. The 150-pound 

 box is 26 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 15 inches deep. For 

 reinforcement each type has cleats placed parallel with the two hori- 

 zontal edges of each end. 



Outgoing shipments of 200 pounds of fresh fish to one consignee 

 are forwarded in the standard 200-pound barrels, which are usually 

 about 31 inches high, 19 inches in diameter at top and bottom, and 

 22 inches in diameter at the bulge. It is estimated that over 90 

 per cent of the fishery products distributed from Jacksonville is 

 forwarded in barrels of this type. Dealers say the barrel is less 

 expensive than the box and that the greater expense of shipping in 

 boxes would not be offset by any additional profit they might realize 

 from shipments of better quality made in boxes. The barrel is 

 popular, also, because it will hold a larger amount of ice than the box, 

 as the usual custom is to place a large cake of ice in the top of the 

 barrel in addition to the usual amount of crushed ice. As the ice 

 melts the cloth covering recedes. It is claimed that the extra cake 

 of ice could not be put into a box, as a cloth cover could not be placed 

 on such a package. However, from the fact that some receivers 

 desire shipments from Jacksonville to be made in boxes it is evident 

 that these receivers, at least, are satisfied with the box as a shipping 

 package. It is believed that in the future more shipments will be 

 made from this city in boxes. 



A new type of box is suitable for the shipment of southern fishery 

 products to the North, possibly because of its insulation. It is used 

 now by dealers in the Great Lakes district. It is built of wood 

 boards put together in such a manner as to make a double wall with 

 an air space on all four sides. 



WHOLESALE TRADE 



In 1926 there were 10 wholesale establishments engaged in handling 

 9,467,000 pounds of 48 varieties of fresh and frozen fishery products 

 having a wholesale value of about $1,420,000. The total invest- 

 ment in buildings and accessories was $273,200 and the cash or 

 working capital amounted to $75,500. There were 68 persons 

 engaged in the trade, receiving $93,000 in wages. 



Of the 48 varieties of fishery products handled by wholesalers, 

 10, amounting to 7,200,000 pounds, constitute 75 per cent of the 

 trade. Named in order of importance they are mullet, croaker, 

 Spanish mackerel, sea trout, fresh-water bream, shrimp, red snapper, 

 king mackerel, red drum, and crappie. Twelve products, amounting 

 to 1,873,000 pounds, constitute 20 per cent of the wholesale trade. 

 These are oysters, catfish, king whiting, black bass, herring, snook, 

 salt-water bream, pompano, salt-water sheepshead, blue runner, 

 bluefish, and shad, named in order of importance. Twenty-six 

 other products, amounting to 394,000 pounds, constitute 5 per cent 

 of the wholesale trade. Included in this group are miscellaneous 

 species of mixed or bottom fish. 



