GRADING FOR PROFIT 89 



In districts where there are numbers of small growers, a 

 larger producer would find a sale for a considerable pro- 

 portion of the boxes he could turn out beyond his own 

 requirements, provided they were cheap enough. In 

 such a case the outlay upon machinery would be a safe 

 investment, and might prove a substantial aid to his 

 business if judiciously worked. 



The essentials in the production of boxes that are to 

 be of real service to market growers are as follows : — 



1. They must be as light as possible consistent with 

 a reasonable strength ; it is useless to rely upon flimsy 

 makes — they will only result in endless trouble and re- 

 peated loss of goods. On the other hand, if heavy thick 

 wood is employed, the weight will be prohibitive. 



2. The cost must be low, and in proportion to the 

 value and quality of the produce they are to convey, 

 especially if they are to be non-returnable. For instance, 

 it would be folly to give a box costing sixpence with 

 goods that are only worth one shilling. When boxes 

 are to be returned, and are made stronger to fit them 

 for an average number of journeys, the larger cost per 

 box amounts to much less per journey, provided the 

 empties do not have to be returned singly. We have 

 used home-made, strong half-bushel and smaller size 

 boxes, the actual cost of which, including return in bulk, 

 did not average one penny per journey. It is obvious 

 that in such cases the relative value of the produce is of 

 less consequence than when the box is used once 

 only. 



3. Boxes should be made the means of advertising 

 the grower, and they should therefore be labelled or 

 branded with his name, and preferably also with the 

 name of the place, and of the variety (when fruit is sent 

 in them), as well as the quality or grade. 



4. If the boxes are returnable the lids should be 

 secured with strong hinges, as their loss is a frequent 



