75 



may be seen. In America the standard creamery package is the 

 6o-lb. tub (Fig. 71), made of white ash, with five black ash 

 hoops. Indeed, so wedded is the trade to this package that any 

 divergency, even the least, may cause a reduction in price. Thus 

 it would be nearly impossible to sell Elgin butter at the market 

 price even in ash tubs, if there were six hoops on them. Nor is 

 this kind of prejudice altogether without a reasonable explana- 

 tion, as the six-hoop tubs had been used largely by gathered 

 cream creameries, and hence Elgin butter would at once be sus- 

 pected of being such, and each tub would have to be examined 

 as to quality. Nor would it look well 

 in a carload to have some five hoop tubs 

 and some with six hoops. 



These tubs are made in sizes to hold 

 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, 56 and 60 Ibs., the lat- 

 ter being the one most used by cream- 

 eries. A handmade tub is generally pre- 

 ferred, and though the machine made 

 (staves tongued and grooved) are neat- 

 er in appearance, they are not nearly so 

 popular. The New York oak tubs are 

 (Fig. 71) hooped with galvanized iron hoops, 'but 



seldom seen now. 



Boston will take spruce tubs, but they are not very popular 

 in the other large markets, they look very neat indeed when new, 

 but do not come out of cold storage in good shape. The tub 

 covers are fastened with various fasteners, but the trade endorses 

 only the tin straps fastened with half-inch wire nails, and the 



various patent hooks sold should not 

 be used. 



For export to England neat oak 

 no-lb. firkins used to be the package, 

 but now the Australian square box is 

 the standard. 



It is made of poplar and spruce and 

 measures inside 12x12x12 inches and 

 exactly 56 Ibs. should be packed in it, 

 or rather a little more, so as to make 

 it hold that on arrival in England, no 

 more, no less. The English trade cus- 

 (Fig 72) toni demands this and will not pay for 



