ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



This study was made possible through the cooperation of Joseph P. Sullivan 

 & Co., Ayer, Mass.; the trucking firm of L. G. DeWitt, Inc., Ellerbe, N. C; 

 the Fresh Products Standardization and Inspection Branch, Fruit and Vegetable 

 Division, Agricultural Marketing Service; and the several receivers of apples 

 at the Florida destinations. 



George H. Chick, Director, Division of Markets, Maine Department of 

 Agriculture; and Charles H. Merchant, Frederick A. Perkins, and Franklin P. 

 Eggert, of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, rendered valuable 

 assistance in the planning of the study. 



The following members of the staff of the Transportation and Facilities 

 Branch participated in the study: Field research: W. R. Black and R. H. 

 Hinds, Jr., agricultural marketing specialist, and Kenneth Myers, transporta- 

 tion economist. 



Statistical compilations: Kenneth Myers, transportation economist. 



CONTENTS 



Page 



Highl ights 4 



Background 6 



Methods of obtaining test data 6 



1958 test shipments , 6 



Test procedures 7 



Evaluation of loading and related handling methods 10 



Extent of container damage and fruit bruising 10 



Principal location of container damage in trailers 14 



Effect of loading containers of different sizes 16 



Need for closer supervision of loading 18 



Lack of ventilation openings in boxes 18 



Rearrangement of loads in transit 20 



Relation of loading pattern to refrigeration 20 



Conclusions 27 



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