30 BULLETIX 35, U. S. DEPAKTMEXT OF AGKICULTUEE. 
were sold in the principal eastern markets before the sawdust-packed 
lots reached there. Many buyers of the cork-packed stock handled 
the fruit at a loss and therefore became suspicious of all California 
grapes packed in drums. Small lots of Emperor grapes packed in 
redwood sawdust were offered at the auction sales from day to day. 
however, and as they were found to be in sound condition the de- 
mand for them gradually increased, as is shown by the higher .prices 
realized toward the end of the season. A T ery few complaints were 
heard from buyers who handled the sawdust-packed fruit. While 
the failure of the attempt to pack the Emperor grapes in cork 
caused considerable criticism and financial loss, the experience was 
valuable in that it emphasizes the importance of using proper care 
in packing and shipping as well as the necessity of selecting only 
the best stock for this rather expensive method of marketing. 
The commercial demonstrations during 1911-12 and 1912-13. as 
well as the records of the Bureau investigations during the past seven 
years, show that the method of packing California table grapes with 
a filler of redwood sawdust and of holding them in cold storage for 
the holiday market is destined to form one of the successful practices 
of the grape industry of the State. Thus far the Emperor is the 
most acceptable variety for this purpose now being produced in Cali- 
fornia. A study of the methods of cultivating and training the 
Spanish varieties with a view to producing them on a commercial 
scale is well worth the efforts of both the Federal authorities and the 
State station investigators. 
It is not expected that the sawdust-drum pack will replace the 
crate package for ordinary commercial shipments to any considerable 
extent. As has been shown, this system of handling is expensive and 
will therefore prove profitable only for the best grades of fruit, which 
can be marketed at comparatively high prices. The use of the saw- 
dust-drum pack for commercial shipments to distant markets requir- 
ing long periods of transit or for shipments to central markets, 
there to be broken up and distributed to local points, is not only 
feasible but offers a means of reaching markets at present inacces- 
sible, and renders possible the shipment of varieties possessing fine 
qualities but unadapted to shipment in crates without a filler. 
The establishment of the sawdust-drum pack for California grapes 
has not been accomplished without opposition. It is a well-known 
fact that the trade always looks with disfavor upon any change in 
the established system of packing and handling fruit, and' the use 
of the sawdust filler was no exception to this general rule. It re- 
quired considerable effort on the part of the Bureau investigators 
and no little courage on the part of the pioneer commercial shippers 
to inaugurate this plan. Fortunately, the first commercial demon- 
