BERRIES AND CHERRIES BY PARCEL POST. 
7 
shipments were made, the top layer of baskets was not held in place 
as securely as the other layers and it was thought that the damage 
was caused by the top layer being shaken around more than the 
other layers. However, in the crates which were used the last two 
seasons, the berries in the top layer of baskets were softer and settled 
more than the berries in the other layers of baskets, notwithstanding 
the fact that the top layer of baskets was held securely in place. As 
the cover of the crate is solid and rests on the sides and ends of the 
crate, it seems certain that the damage to the berries in the top layer 
of baskets was due entirely to the fact that the top layer did not 
receive as much ventilation as the other layers. In some of the 
smaller crates which were used, space was provided for only one layer 
of baskets and in most of the shipments of berries that were received 
Fig, 3.— Ventilated crate. All parts shown; slatted sides, ends, bottom slats, covers, dividers, and baskets. 
in these crates the berries in each basket were somewhat soft and 
settled. These facts indicate that ventilation is necessary for success 
in shipping strawberries by parcel post. No doubt many persons 
who have been unsuccessful in shipping strawberries by this method 
have used crates which do not allow ventilation. 
Strawberries shipped in crates holding 16 quarts or more arrived 
in better condition than those shipped in smaller crates. Not only 
do large crates allow more ventilation than smaller crates, but they 
are doubtless handled more carefully in the mail. The use of crates 
holding less than 16 quarts can not be highly recommended for ship- 
ping strawberries by parcel post. This factor places a distinct limi- 
tation on the use of the parcel post for shipping strawberries, as many 
growers state that they have difficulty in obtaining customers who 
wish as many as 16 quarts of strawberries at one time. Persons who 
