BEEKIES AND CHEREIES BY PARCEL POST. 



shipments were made, the top layer of baskets was not held in place 

 as securely as the other layers and it was thought that the damage 

 was caused by the top layer being shaken around more than the 

 other layers. However, in the crates which were used the last two 

 seasons, the berries in the top layer of baskets were softer and settled 

 more than the berries in the other layers of baskets, notwithstanding 

 the fact that the top layer of baskets was held securely in place. As 

 the cover of the crate is solid and rests on the sides and ends of the 

 crate, it seems certain that the damage to the berries in the top layer 

 of baskets was due entirely to the fact that the top layer did not 

 receive as much ventilation as the other layers. In some of the 

 smaller crates which were used, space was provided for only one layer 

 of baskets and in most of the shipments of berries that were received 



Fig. 3. — Veiitilated crate. All parts shovra; slatted sides, ends, bottom slats, covers, dividers, and baskets. 



in these crates the berries in each basket were somewhat soft and 

 settled. These facts indicate that ventilation is necessary for success 

 in shipping strawberries by parcel post. No doubt many persons 

 who have been unsuccessful in shipping strawberries by this method 

 have used crates which do not allow ventilation. 



Strawberries shipped in crates holding 16 quarts or more arrived 

 in better condition than those shipped in smallet crates. Not only 

 do large crates allow more ventilation than smaller crates, but they 

 are doubtless handled more carefully in the mail. The use of crates 

 holding less than 16 quarts can not be highly recommended for ship- 

 ping strawberries by parcel post. This factor places a distinct limi- 

 tation on the use of the parcel post for shipping strawberries, as many 

 gi^owers state that they have difficulty in obtaining customers who 

 wish as many as 16 quarts of strawberries at one time. Persons who 



