152 Strawberry-Growing 



Trays. 



Berries destined for near markets are packed in return 

 trays instead of crates; these are described by H. L. 

 Crane, of Westwood, Massachusetts : "We use a 15 quart 

 tray which is 5f inches deep, 17f inches wide, and 29 inches 

 long, outside measurement. The ends are made of 5" 

 planed boards, 5" X 17", with handles cut in them as in a 

 bushel box. The sides are of f ^' board, 4f " X 29". 

 The bottom is of five pieces laid cross-wise, one inch 

 apart. It is made of f " board, 5" X 17|". The 

 cover is of five pieces ; three long f " boards, 4|" X 27^", 

 which set inside the box, and two cross pieces which set 

 on the sides; these are f" X 17" X 3". The ends of the 

 box being f " wider than the sides, protects the cross. 

 Trays made of pine cost us 25 cents each. A sheet of 

 wrapping paper placed over the berries keeps out the dust, 

 which would sift through the slat tops. These trays are 

 returned to the local growers. We get about 80 per cent 

 of them back, and the rest are paid for." Trays holding 

 eighteen or twenty-four quart boxes are used, also. In 

 southern California, practically all the berries for local 

 markets are handled in return trays holding fifteen pint 

 baskets (Plate XIV). The names or numbers of the grow- 

 ers are stenciled upon them. These trays cost eight cents 

 each. New England growers who cater to a local market 

 ship their No. 1 berries in trays and the No. 2 stock in 

 crates. Trays are cheaper, and more convenient for local 

 trade than crates ; they also show off the berries better in 

 the market. Another advantage is that none of the 

 fruit is crushed by the weight of boxes placed above. 



Baskets of woven wicker work have been used somewhat 

 in North America. Pottles, which were shaped like an 

 inverted cone, and flat, shallow punnets were used near 



