MARKETING SOUTHERN-GROWN SWEET POTATOES. 23 
In the Central group of States— Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Wiscon- 
sin, and Michigan — based on reports from 87 dealers, the hamper is by 
far the most popular, the barrel next, and no choice is indicated be- 
tween the bushel crate and bushel basket for third place. 
In the West there is about an equal demand for bushel hampers and 
bushel baskets, according to the reports of 79 dealers. The bushel 
crate and the barrel are next in order of preference. 
In the South, based on 37 reports, the markets prefer sweet pota- 
toes in sacks and in bulk. The crate is also popular, with barrels next, 
hampers next, and baskets next. 
It is not difficult to account for the preferences indicated. For 
many years eastern cities have been supplied with sweet potatoes 
from the northeastern section in barrels and hampers. Tennessee and 
sections in adjoining States have been using the hamper almost ex- 
clusively for shipments into the North Central States. In the West 
preferences are not so well established. In the South trade prefer- 
ences clearly reflect the old methods used by southern shippers. 
CRATES. 
The standard bushel crate shown in Figure 9 is 12 by 12 by 15 
inches, inside measurements, and has a capacity of 2,160 cubic inches. 
It is used to some extent in practically every southern State. The 
folding crate shown in the same figure is 10J by 10J by 20J inches, 
and also holds a volume bushel. Objections to the proportions and 
unattractive appearance of the 12 by 12 by 15 inch crate resulted in the 
adoption of the other style of crate by a number of Arkansas shippers 
who used it to a considerable extent during the 1921-22 season. 
Its proportions approach those of the onion crate and the apple box, 
with which the trade are familiar, and many dealers have favorably 
commented upon it. A 5-peck crate, 12 by 12 by 18|, containing 
2,700 cubic inches, is widely used in South Carolina and Georgia. 
It is similar to the 12 by 12 by 15 crate except that it is 3| inches 
longer. While the additional length adds to its attractiveness, its 
odd size is a disadvantage. It is decidedly unpopular with the trade. 
Crates are not used by the large shippers m the northeastern 
section. They came into use in the South with the development of 
commercial storage houses and the practice of storing in packages 
rather than in bins. In most sections where they are popular they 
are used for field handling, storing, curing, and shipping. Un- 
fortunately many shippers do not demand quality, with the result 
that much of the objection to crates in certain markets is due to 
poor construction rather than to type. Frail, warped, clumsy crates 
arriving in the markets to be sold in competition with clean, strong, 
standard packages from other sections make an unfavorable im- 
pression and affect the dealers' distribution. In those markets in 
which prejudice exists it can be largely overcome by using only those 
crates that are recognized as standard in both capacity and con- 
struction. 
HAMPERS. 
In Tennessee, hampers have been used almost exclusively for all 
shipments, but in other southern States they are used mainly in 
shipping green stock for the early market. Comparatively few of the 
large storage houses market cured stock in this container. A preju- 
