2o8 FRUIT HARVESTING, STORING, MARKETING 



upon this. As the ice melts the water drains from a hole in 

 the pan into an iron pipe, through which it runs out of the 

 bottom of the chest. As soon as there is enough fruit for car- 

 load lots, refrigerator cars are used. In these the whole 

 interior of the car is cooled, and the ice does not come in con- 

 tact with the produce shipped. These have been long used 

 for beef and other perishable foods." 



Cost of transportation. — In the same article some 

 interesting figures are given showing the cost of 

 shipping in the refrigerator cars. The statements are 

 reliable, and I will quote them herewith. The writer 

 says: 



" There is no doubt that the railroads get their full share 

 of the profits out of all the stuff they carry to market for the 

 farmer. The following facts in regard to expenses were 

 obtained from a southern shipper. The charge made by the rail- 

 road companies for hauling refrigerator cars from South Caro- 

 lina points to New York and Philadelphia is f 1.25 per bushel 

 crate, the minimum carload being one' hundred crates. The 

 express company furnishes the car, ice, etc. , and looks after the 

 re-icing in transit at 25 cents per crate. This is in addition to 

 the charge made by the railroad company. Figuring on the 

 minimum rate of one hundred bushel crates, the transportation 

 charge between the points named would be $25 for rent of car, 

 ice, and re-icing on the way, and $125 to the railroad company 

 for hauling, making $150 per car, or a trifle over 4^^ cents per 

 quart. Of course this can be reduced by putting more crates 

 in the car, but there is a. danger in overloading, and it is 

 considered that the berries arrive at their destination in far 

 better shape where they are not crowded to the top of the 

 car, and a little space is left between the crates. Refrigerator 

 chests are made in various sizes. Those holding forty-eight 

 quarts will weigh, iced, two hundred pounds; eighty quarts, 

 three hundred pounds; one hundred quarts, three hundred and 

 fifty pounds; and one hundred and forty quarts, five hundred 

 pounds, and the transportation charge is 76 cents per one 



