BEKEIES AXD CHEEEIES BY PAECEL POST. 



15 



The results of the experimental shipments of raspberries indicate 

 that it is not advisable to ship raspberries by parcel post unless the 

 berries are dry and firm when they are picked, are packed properly, 

 are shipped under very favorable weather conditions and are care- 

 fully handled in the mail. As illustrated in figure 7 it is possible 

 to ship raspberries satisfactorily by parcel post if all conditions are 

 favorable. However, as a general proposition the use of the parcel 

 post service for shipping raspberries can not be recommended. 



CHERRIES. 



During 1915, 1916, and 1917 experimental shipments of cherries to 

 the number of 229 were made by parcel post in crates with a capacity 



Fig. 9. — Cherries shipped by parcel post. The crate on the left contained 24 quarts and that on the right 

 had a capacity of 16 quarts. Crates of this type usually are satisfactory for shipping cherries hy 

 parcel post. 



of from 4 to 32 quarts. The shipments totaled 3,266 quarts of 

 cherries. An average of 17 hours elapsed between the time the 

 cherries were mailed and the time they were dehvered. Practically 

 all of the shipments were made over distances less than 150 miles. 



Approximately 75 per cent of the shipments were received in a 

 very satisfactory condition as no damage resulted from the treatment 

 given them while in transit. Three of these shipments are illustrated 

 in Figures 8 and 9. 



From 2 to 5 per cent of the cherries in 15 per cent of the shipments 

 were unfit for use, and in 10 per cent of the shipments one-tenth or 

 more of the cherries were damaged when they were received. Nearly 

 aU of the cherries that were not received in good condition had been 

 picked carelessly or had become too ripe before they were picked. 



