The Canadian Horticulturist. 



MISTAKES IN PACKING. 



T is not too much to say that perhaps not one-third of the farmers of 

 this State who pack their own apples, use the legal ( fiour) size of 

 barrel. Let us see how it pays. The apple crop of i 889 was a large 

 one, probably larger than in any other State, and proved to be the 

 financial salvation of Michigan farmers. It was also one of the very 

 best years to learn facts regarding the trade. During that summer and 

 fall, I made it a point to learn, as nearly as possible, what the difference in price 

 was between the full standard barrel and the "snide," in Chicago. I found the 

 range of prices for the season to be $1.25 to $3.50 per barrel, and by inquiring 

 at different times, and of a number of dealers, I found that the amount of differ- 

 ence in fruit amounted to a little less than one-half a bushel, and the difference 

 in the selling price was from 50c. to 75 c. per barrel, or an average of 60c. per 

 barrel, after paying a slightly increased cost on the barrel. Or, in short, the 

 Michigan grower received $1.20 per bushel for all the extra apples required to 

 pack full standard barrels. And further, it is the large barrel that sells promptly, 

 while the small barrel often suffers loss, in the case of a glut, by rotting down. 

 This makes the difference still larger. The shippers in the city are the largest 

 and best buyers, and they always want a large barrel with ten hoops, and are 

 willing to pay for it. 



The same rule applies to the whole line of small fruits, as the case in common 

 use is supposed to hold 16 quarts, but in reality holds only 14 to 14^ quarts. 

 We frequently hear men state that they do not represent them as quarts, but 

 only as 16 boxes. Such statements are unworthy and suspicious, and we would 

 expect the same man to ease his conscience from any little dishonorable act by 

 the plea that he had not promised not to do it. Our package manufacturers 

 come in for a share of the blame, as they have, to a certain extent, added in the 

 deception by manufacturing the " snide " package. They will say that they can 

 not control the people's wishes in the matter, and they are in the business to 

 make anything the people want. This is, to a certain extent, true, but the best 

 information we can get is to the effect that nearly every change in the size or 

 style of package is first made by the manufacturer, and offered for our adoption, 

 even without a demand, and we all know they are constantly making changes in 

 the style and form of packages ; and one idea seems to run through all the work, 

 and that is to make them a little scant measure, and the majority of our farmers 

 seem to think that a barrel is a barrel, even if it is not more than two-thirds 

 grown, and the same with a quart box. 



Appeals have been made time and again to the honesty and good sense of 

 our growers to discontinue the use of such packages, and the practice of " stuff- 

 ing," or dishonest packing, but so far it has accomplished but little. It pays to 



