136 MODERN FRUIT MARKETING 
Most companies make special rates for the handling 
of perishable farm produce, and where delivered or con- 
signed to the commission house the express rate is about 
half what it would be where delivered to an individual 
For example, southern New Jersey has a special express 
rate, to Philadelphia and New York, of about 35 cents a 
bushel crate of strawberries when consigned to a com- 
mission house, but when consigned to an individual the 
regular charge would be about twice that amount. The 
express companies explain this discrepancy in that the 
private crate must be delivered at the expense of the 
transportation company, while those consigned to the 
commission house are looked after by the commission 
man. 
Where long hauls are made, necessitating the use of 
refrigerator cars, fruit can only be handled in carload 
lots. The cost of icing and handling such cars would 
be prohibitive if carrying less than the full capacity of 
the car. In most places where fruit is shipped in large 
quantities special rates may be had, known as ‘‘com- 
modity rates,’’ which means a special] railroad rate for 
certain commodities shipped between certain definite 
points. And such commodity rates are from 25 to 50% 
less than the regular rates under ordinary conditions. 
To get such a rate where none has been previously 
granted, it would be necessary for the individual or 
organization to petition the railroads or the railroad 
commission of the state, setting forth points between 
which the rate is desired and the commodity to be 
shipped. 
Where such shipments are in more than one state, it 
will be necessary to petition the Interstate Railway Com- 
