38 BULLETIN 1283, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
crates was generally unsatisfactory. The trade did not take readily to 
new packages and discriminated against onions so shipped, partly be- 
cause of the difficulty in familiarizing retailers with the new con- 
tainer. 
In 1920, the shortage of crates made it necessary to use sacks and 
bushel baskets, which were cheaper for the shipper, but the onions did 
not seem to arrive in such good condition in these containers, particu- 
larly in hot weather or when the stock was not absolutely dry. It is 
claimed that they are particularly undesirable for loading in steamers, 
because the onions are likely to heat if placed near the center of the 
ship or near the boilers. In 1921, only the left-over baskets were 
used, and not over 10 per cent of the movement was in bags. 
To comply with the requirements of the food and drugs act, either 
the net weight or dry measure is marked on all onion containers. 
QUALITY AND CONDITION OF RECEIPTS 12 
The quality and the condition of the onions on arrival in consuming 
markets has an important effect on the price offered. These factors 
can be controlled largely by united efforts of growers and shippers. 
If heavy rains injure the carrying quality of the onions, it is no fault 
of the growers, but if poor prices are received because the onions were 
poorly graded, poorly packed, or badly loaded in the car, a repetition 
can be avoided. In a year of exceptional scarcity and high prices, 
like 1919, ungraded or partly graded onions may sell at good figures, 
but in most seasons failure to sort out No. 1 onions and sell them 
separately generally results in the whole lot selling at about the price 
of graded No. 2 onions. 13 For the past six years, No. 1 onions nave 
usually brought between 25 and 50 cents more per crate than second 
grade or partly graded stock. In a year of low prices, it is easily 
possible that this difference on the No. 1 onions would make the 
difference between profit and loss on the year's operations. 
Shipment of ungraded, or partly graded, onions is as injurious to 
the producing community as to the individual grower, for the arrival 
of a great deal of inferior stock on any market tends to depress prices 
for all qualities of onions. The ungraded stock tends to remain on 
the market and to clog the channels of trade. 
During the 1916 and 1917 seasons, California stock sold either on 
a parity or at a 10-cent premium per crate over the Texas product, 
largely because of better grading. In the 1919 season grading had 
been so relaxed in Texas, or there was such a difference in quality, 
that Calif ornias brought 25 to 50 cents more per crate in the leading 
markets. In 1920 Calif ornias brought equal prices or a premium 
of only 10 to 25 cents over Texas Bermudas. Partly because of 
better grading, about the same prices were paid at California shipping 
points per crate as were paid at Texas shipping points during 1920, 
in spite of the greater distance from the large markets, California 
growers having slightly the best of it late in the season. 
In 1921 and in 1923 California shipments generally brought a 
premium, except in the case of the Texas onions snipped cooperatively 
under strict grading in 1923. 
12 "Quality" in this discussion refers to such characteristics as uniformity and desirability of size, shape, 
variety, and the other natural qualities of the onions as distinguished from "condition"— the state of pres- 
ervation or deterioration. 
13 United States grades for Bermuda onions are described in detail at the end of this bulletin. 
