136 MODERN FRUIT MARKETING 



Most companies make special rates for the handling 

 of perishable farm produce, and where delivered or con- 

 signed to the commission house the express rate is about 

 half what it would be where delivered to an individual 

 For example, southern New Jersey has a special express 

 rate, to Philadelphia and New York, of about 35 cents a 

 bushel crate of strawberries when consigned to a com- 

 mission house, but when consigned to an individual the 

 regular charge would be about twice that amount. The 

 express companies explain this discrepancy in that the 

 private crate must be delivered at the expense of the 

 transportation company, while those consigned to the 

 commission house are looked after by the commission 

 man. 



Where long hauls are made, necessitating the use of 

 refrigerator cars, fruit can only be handled in carload 

 lots. The cost of icing and handling such cars would 

 be prohibitive if carrying less than the full capacity of 

 the car. In most places where fruit is shipped in large 

 quantities special rates may be had, known as "com- 

 modity rates/' which means a special railroad rate for 

 certain commodities shipped between certain definite 

 points. And such commodity rates are from 25 to 50% 

 less than the regular rates under ordinary conditions. 

 To get such a rate where none has been previously 

 granted, it would be necessary for the individual or 

 organization to petition the railroads or the railroad 

 commission of the state, setting forth points between 

 which the rate is desired and the commodity to be 

 shipped. 



Where such shipments are in more than one state, it 

 will be necessary to petition the Interstate Railway Com- 



