SHIPPING TO NEW YORK 389 



that they did not receive full market quotations, when 

 they sent the best of goods ; and that they were charged 

 with incredible losses. 



The merchant clarified the situation by saying that 

 the orange box is too thin. It is springy, and permits 

 heavier boxes to crowd the eggs till there is often much 

 breakage. It is also a package not "standard." Not 

 even the poultry show world is more, devoted to its 

 " Standard " than are merchants who handle market 

 stuff in many and large lots to a " standard " package. 

 Figuring, space, and other necessary detail can be fitted 

 to a standard package instantly, and without loss. The 

 principle is the same as when the farmer becomes de- 

 voted to the bushel crate that just fits so many of his needs, 

 and also the rack he has had made on purpose to carry 

 them. I saw a fine, special rack, made by adding a few 

 boards to a flat hay rigging, on which a New York 

 farmer was contentedly drawing fifty crates of apples, 

 all on one level. He dragged me out to the barn, just 

 in order to see how nice they looked. They were shoved 

 from the rack, almost, in unloading, and he took back a 

 load of empties, clean and bright. There was a " why " 

 behind his satisfaction with this way of selling apples. 

 The shipper, if he cannot follow instructions without it, 

 must look for the " why " of the commission merchant's 

 requirements, and he must look till he finds it. 



"Eggs must be clean, and of good size; these are 

 basic principles of successful shipment," went on the 

 dealer who knew the New York market through a life- 

 time of selling on it. "What do you mean by good 

 size? " " I mean not small." I laughed, and suggested, 

 "Not under the regulation two ounces?" "Yes." 



