MARKETING SOUTHERN-GROWN SWEET POTATOES 
29 
LOADING BARRELS. 
Figure 14 shows the method of loading barrels on end, two layers 
high. This method should be followed whenever cloth or burlap is 
used instead of wooden heads. If there are not enough barrels in 
the second layer to fill the entire space, enough of the barrels should 
be loaded lengthwise on bilge to act as a brace to those loaded upright. 
Doorways should be braced as shown in Figure 16. If the floor 
space is not completely filled, a center brace, described below, 
should be used. W Tiile the number of barrels loaded in a car ranges 
from 150 to 240. the usual load is between 160 and 200. It is not 
advisable to load more than two layers high. 
A satisfactory method of loading double-headed barrels on bilge 
is known as the " alternating straight" method. Two rows of three 
barrels each, end to end, are placed across the car. This leaves a 
space of about half the length of a barrel between the end of the 
rows and one side of the car. The second layer is then started by 
placing one row of three barrels on top of the first two rows, but 
starting from the opposite side of the car and covering the open space 
between that side of the car and the ends of the lower rows. This 
plan is continued, alternate layers being started from opposite sides 
of the car. One advantage of this method is that the bilge of one 
barrel does not rest directly upon the bilge of another. 
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Fig. 14.— Method of loading barrels in a 3<>-foot car. This method is especially recommended for 
loading cloth-topped barrels. 
CENTER BRACING. 
To prevent damage in transit from the shifting of a load, tight 
stowing is necessary. When all the floor space is not completely 
filled, center bracing takes up the slack and gives the load stability. 
Two gates are made which are placed against the ends of the load 
with a space between them varying usually from 1 foot to the width 
of the car doors. (See fig. 15.) Uprights (A and B) should be of 
2 by 4 or 1 by 4 material, and the horizontal strips (C) should not be 
less than 2 by 2 inches. The uprights should be in the center of each 
row of containers with the even surface toward the packages. Up- 
right A should be as high as the load and upright B should extend 
to the top of the car to prevent buckling. Horizontal strips should 
extend the width of the car. After the two gates are in place braces 
made of 2 by 4 inch lumber are inserted between them at the bottom, 
center, and top. These braces are usually cut long and driven 
between the gates so that all slack is taken up. They are then toe- 
nailed to the horizontal strips. If the space to be taken up is only a 
few inches, wedges may be driven between the gates. It is a good 
idea for shippers to construct a number of gates before they begin 
shipping, rather than build them piece by piece within the ear at 
loading time. 
