UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



BULLETIN No. 477 



j\^*^Ji; 



CHARLES J. BRAND, Chief 



s&F^ru 



Washington, D. C. 



April 2, 1917 



MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION OF STRAW- 

 BERRIES IN 1915. 



By O. W. Schleussner and J. G. Gilbert, Assistants in Market Surveys. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction 1 



Methods employed in dealing with straw- 

 berry pickers 2 



Cooperative associations 3 



Sales methods commonly employed 8 



Transportation 8 



A study of the Louisiana district 9 



Extent, length, and volume of movement 



from all districts 11 



Comparison of prices received for strawberries 



on important markets 13 



Average quality of strawberries shipped 17 



Distribution of strawberries in 1915 18 



Total strawberry shipments in 1915 27 



INTRODUCTION. 



During the season of 1915 the Office of Markets and Rural Organ- 

 ization of the Department of Agriculture conducted an experimental 

 market news service for strawberries, tomatoes, muskmelons, and 

 peaches. This involved securing telegraphic reports of shipments 

 of these products from all originating common carriers, and reliable 

 reports of arrivals and prices of these products on the principal 

 markets. This information was distributed free to growers and 

 shippers by mail or by wire "collect" as desired. 



In connection with this service, extensive surveys were made of 

 the principal shipping areas of each of these crops and a representa- 

 tive of the office was stationed in one or more of the centers of pro- 

 duction of each during the commercial movement to distribute 

 direct to the producers all the market news at the command of the 

 department. 



The text of this bulletin is based upon observations made by the 

 authors at shipping points, and by members of the staff working in 

 the markets. The charts showing distribution are based upon 

 reports furnished by wire during the shipping season by the railroads 

 and. boat lines handling important carload movements. 



The tabulation of shipments by stations is compiled from the 

 records of the various carriers as transmitted to the department at 



Note. — This bulletin is of interest to strawberry growers, shippers, transportation companies, and 

 consumers, and to all engaged in the trade in berries and fruits. 

 62735°— Bull. 477—17 1 



