The Canadian Horticulturist. 



39 



A NEW APPLE BARREL. 



(Pat. 26th Nov., 1892.) 



HE want has long been felt in the export apple trade of some 

 smaller case for shipping than the ordinary barrel. English 

 buyers have repeatedly called attention to this, and Austra- 

 lian shippers, acting upon the suggestion, have already begun 

 to send over their choice apples in 40-lb. boxes, which, it is 

 claimed, will bring almost as much in the English market as 

 our 160-lb. barrel will do. The disadvantage of the Austra- 

 lian plan, however, is obvious. It not only adds to the expense of packing, but 

 greatly increases the cost of transportation. The same objection is met with in 

 the use of small kegs. 



It is to obviate these difficulties, and, at the same time, to supply the above 

 mentioned want, that Mr. C. Aitkens, of Stoney Creek, Ontario, has brought out 

 and patented the device represented in our cut. It consists of an ordinary 

 barrel divided into two equal parts by a double flooring across the centre. This 

 flooring is so adjusted as to admit of the barrels being readily sawn in two by 

 the retailer in England, thus making two half barrels. In this way, while the 

 expense of the barrel is but trifiingly increased, cheapness and facility in hand- 

 ling are preserved. 



The chief advantages claimed for this patent 

 may be stated as follows : 



1. It supplies the want of a smaller case better 

 than an ordinary barrel for handling by foreign 

 retailers. 2. It is more conveniently and satis- 

 factorily handled than are boxes or small kegs. 

 3. The cost of shipping is much less than it would 

 be if separate small kegs were used. 4. The price 

 of the barrel being 40 cents, it is much cheaper 

 than it would be to use the ordinary half barrels. 

 5. The fruit is carried much more satisfactorily than 

 in ordinary barrels, there being no possibility of its 

 slackening or shaking about, owing to the firmness 

 imparted to the barrel by the central stays. 6. 

 The fruit will, therefore, arrive in better condition, 

 and, with the convenience afforded by the sawing 

 of the barrels in two, will fetch better prices. 



Fig. 501. 



