1895 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
54i 
PACKAGES AND MEASURES FOR PRODUCE. 
WHAT DO ‘‘CRATE,” “BAG,” “CARRIER” AND 
“BASKET” MEAN? 
I am often puzzled to understand your Market 
column. For instance, July 6 : 
Beans, marrow, 1894, choice. 2 50@2 52 
Does that mean barrel, bushel or what ? 
Green peas, Scotch, bags. 97@1 00 
How much in a bag ? 
Apples, Ga., Red Astrachan, per carrier. 1 50@2 00 
How much does a carrier hold ? 
Grapes, Fla., Niagara, per 8-till case. 3 00@4 00 
How much in pounds, quarts or bushels is that ? 
Pears, per crate. 1 25@2 25 
How much does a crate hold ? 
Peaches, N. C. and S. C., per flat case. 75@1 25 
What is that in measure ? 
Raspberries, red, per JjJ-cup. -5@ 7 
What’s that ? 
String beans, Md., wax, per basket. 1 75 @ — 
Norfolk, green, per half-bbl basket. 75@1 25 
Long Island, per bag. 1 00@1 25 
Now, if one kind of basket is a half-barrel—is the 
other a whole barrel ? How am I, away out in Indiana, 
to know how much a bcug in New York holds? We 
have cases and crates here ; some hold 24 full quarts, 
some 24 wine quarts, some a bushel, but dealers here 
cannot tell me what quantity in pounds or quarts or 
bushels the above excerpt from your list indicates. 
Hay, No. 1. 75@ 80 
I suppose that means per 100 pounds ! 
Parke County, Ind. G. E. w. 
It. N.-Y.—The market quotations are published 
for the benefit of shippers, and most of them under¬ 
stand perfectly the terms used. To save space, we 
must necessarily make the reports as brief as possible, 
and can’t, therefore, publish them in detail and ex¬ 
plain all the terms used. Another point, persons who 
wish to purchase small quantities of some articles of 
produce, often expect to do so at the prices we quote. 
This can seldom be done, as these are quotations on 
large lots such as jobbers buy, and when smaller 
quantities are desired, higher prices must be paid. 
Another point with regard to packages. It is im¬ 
possible many times to give any definite answer as to 
the contents of any particular line of packages. A 
barrel in market, here, should be the standard barrel 
with a head 17 inches in diameter, the bilge 19% 
inches, stave 27 inches long, and a length between 
the heads of 25% inches. But many people still per¬ 
sist in using a small-size, known as the “ pony ” 
barrel. The same is true of many other packages ; 
hence there are differences in the packages coming 
from different parts of the country. Those coming 
from a particular locality, generally average about 
the same in size, and dealers understand this. 
To take up the particular items mentioned by G. E. 
W. The dry beans and peas he mentions, are sold by 
the bushel, always. It doesn’t make any difference 
about the size of the bags ; they are sold by the 
bushel. The carrier isn’t a very definite measure, ex¬ 
cept to those who understand the different ones from 
different localities. Those mentioned, usually con¬ 
tain six baskets of about four quarts each, or, in all, 
three pecks. The cases mentioned vary also ; in the 
eight-till case, the “tills” are small, flat baskets, sup¬ 
posed to contain about five pounds each, but in reality 
probably not more than 4% so the dealers tell us, or, 
perhaps, 30 pounds in the case. These cases or car¬ 
riers have been in general use but a few years, and 
are among the most popular packages with handlers. 
They are of various styles and sizes, but in general, 
consist of a light crate containing a greater or less 
number of small, flat baskets. They are cheap, venti¬ 
late the contents well, carry well, and are convenient 
for retailers. A crate is generally supposed to hold 
about a bushel, but most of them are like the pony 
barrels, likely to fall a little short. Cabbages and 
such coarse articles often come in crates holding a 
barrel. The flat case mentioned holds two baskets, 
of about six quarts’ capacity each, placed side by side. 
Where a case holds several baskets, they are usually 
placed in two tiers. 
Raspberries are sold in baskets holding one quart, 
one pint, one-third quart, and one-fourth quart. 
“Per one-third cup,” means a little cup or basket 
holding one-third of a quart. The quarts are supposed 
to be dry measure, but like most other measures, they 
vary widely, many of them being extremely small. 
This difference in the size of packages, works very 
unfavorably to the shippers. If the size were uniform 
like the packages of California fruit, it would be much 
in favor of better and more uniform prices. The 
baskets of beans, peas, etc., thatcome from the South, 
usually hold one-half barrel. These are very neat, 
convenient packages. They are of the shape of a 
peach basket, quite high, with a flat wooden cover. 
The bags from New Jersey and Long Island usually 
contain one bushel of peas or beans. As our friend 
says that he has difficulty in learning there just what 
different measures indicate, he would have the same 
trouble here. There has been a movement here 
among dealers to compel the sale of all fruits and 
vegetables by weight. This would be a most desir¬ 
able thing to do in most cases, but it isn't likely that 
this method will ever be adopted here, principally be¬ 
cause it is impracticable where such large quantities 
of produce are handled. Hay and straw prices as 
given are for 100 pounds 
Regarding a few other items which our friend 
doesn't mention. Quotations of butter and cheese, 
of course, are by the pound. By the way, do you 
notice that the price .quoted per pound for some 
grades, will buy two pounds of some others ? Egg 
prices are by the dozen, except sometimes by the 
case of so many dozens, though there is no good rea¬ 
son why they shouldn’t be sold by the pound. Pears 
are sometimes quotecl by the keg. A keg holds about 
a bushel, though the size of these varies. Pears and 
quinces, as well as Lady and other fancy apples, some¬ 
times come in one-half ban-els. Peaches from Jersey 
and generally from Delaware, come in the regular 
peach baskets, supposed to hold about one-half bushel, 
but they oftener hold 12 to 14 quarts. A movement 
has been on foot to do away with the covers that 
usually come on these baskets. Some fancy peaches 
sometimes come in market baskets covered with mos¬ 
quito netting, as do many plums and other similar 
fruits. A car-load of watermelons usually contains 
about 1 , 000 , but this year many have run so small that 
1,100 or 1,200 was nearer the number. Quotations on 
grain are by the bushel. A barrel of potatoes in 
bulk, means 180 pounds ; in barrels or sacks, about 
165 to 170. All quotations on poultry are per pound, 
unless otherwise specified. Quotations on hops are 
by the pound. A carrier of tomatoes varies according 
to locality, but is usually a small bushel. A box of 
tomatoes is something less than one-half bushel. 
Our Eastern grapes mostly come in 5 and 10-pound 
handled baskets with a wooden cover. The five-pound 
baskets usually contain 4 to 4% pounds of fruit, and 
the 10 -pound ones, about nine pounds. These are very 
neat packages, of a convenient s ; ze for retailing, and 
are just the thing to carry handily. Some grapes 
come in large trays holding probably one-hal f bushel, 
and some for wine purposes, come in barrels ; but 
these are not the choicest fruit, and sell for lower 
prices per pound. Drawing its supplies from so wide 
an extent of territory as does New York, a wide range 
in the kinds of packages must be expected, and even 
experienced handlers are sometimes at a loss to say 
just what certain packages should contain. 
0UT-0F-SEAS0N “CROPS 7 ' WANTED. 
The excellent account of tomato-growing under 
glass given on page 535, ought to prove suggestive to 
many farmers. Here is a chance to get hold of a 
profitable winter job—something that is comfortable 
and interesting. Prof. Bailey, at Cornell, has made a 
long study of this matter of winter forcing. He says 
that, in his opinion, it offers to-day, in connection 
with outdoor gardening, the best opening, not only 
for experiment, but for practical work. The business 
is yet in its infancy in America, as, outside of lettuce, 
tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., few vegetables are grown 
under glass. There is a demand all through the win¬ 
ter for fresh vegetables. Of late, string beans have 
proved a profitable crop, and almost any of our com¬ 
mon vegetables will secure a good market if produced 
in fine quality out of the regular season. In every large 
town and city is a constantly growing class of people 
who always eat canned vegetables under protest. 
They would willingly pay large prices for fresh 
goods. Thousands of families now eat fresh lettuce 
in winter who never dreamed of eating it five years 
ago. So it would be with other vegetables if they 
were supplied. 
* 
Prof. Bailey has succeeded in growing muskmelons 
for the Christmas trade. Last year they were planted 
in the house August 8 . They were given lots of heat, 
and kept dry. The soil was one-third strong manure 
with plenty of bone flour added. There were 75 
plants, and two fruits were left on a plant. The last 
were picked December 21, leaving the soil in ample 
time for a crop of lettuce or tomatoes to follow. A 
variety called Masterpiece succeeded well, as did 
Emerald Gem. It is, of course, no new thing to grow 
melons under glass; but most of the fruits thus grown 
were lacking in flavor. Prof. Bailey sent samples of 
his melons to good judges in the city, who pronounced 
them excellent in every way. Heat and sunshine 
make the flavor. Most of those who grew melons 
under glass, have failed because they kept the house 
too cool. A well-flavored melon four inches in diame¬ 
ter, is worth money at Christmas time. Delmonico’s 
servants will cut it in two, carefully clean the halves, 
and put them away on the ice to cool. It will be 
served later, each half filled with delicate ice cream, 
and worth $2 of the eater’s money. 
Another crop that people want fresh iu winter, is 
asparagus, which would find ready sale from January 
to May. This crop is already forced by some growers 
by building a hotbed over the outside patch, and 
applying artificial heat. At Cornell, such a bed 60x40 
feet will be forced next winter. Celery is another 
crop for the glass gardener. This is wanted in May, 
but will prove one of the hardest of all to force in the 
greenhouse. Its tendency under forcing is to run to 
seed, and to refuse to bleach properly. The list of 
vegetables suitable for forcing might be greatly ex¬ 
tended. There is every prospect that within the next 
10 years, this business will be wonderfully developed. 
That is why Prof. Bailey considers training in green¬ 
house work so important. It will be made a special 
feature of the horticultural course at Cornell. 
O 
Fashion has much to do with changes in food, and 
the introduction of new products. At the Ellerslie 
stock farm, is a huge poultry plant from which 20,000 
broilers are marketed during the year. Mr. Seely, 
the manager of this department, recently gave us a 
new point about the demand for his baby White 
Plymouth Rocks. A few years ago, the family of one 
of our American millionaires went to Paris and ate a 
dinner at which little birds were served—one for each 
guest. They were smaller than ordinary broilers— 
one whole one providing about meat enough for each 
person. This seemed like an agreeable “ fad,” and 
when they returned to America, this family demanded 
these little birds in place of broilers. This fashion 
has spread among the rich until a plump chicken 
five weeks old, will often sell for as much as a large 
broiler. Of course this means a gain to the feeder of 
at least a month’s feeding. It just illustrates how 
changes in fashion strike below the surface into the 
production of articles of food. The rich and fastidious 
demand delicacies—fruits, vegetables and meats out of 
their natural season. This demand stimulates inventive 
genius, and men are found who invent the appliances 
needed to produce the artificial conditions required to 
grow plants and animals out of their seasons. These 
appliances are improved and extended, until what 
was once a luxury, becomes cheapened to a necessity 
and rich and poor alike enjoy it. That is the history 
of forced fruits and vegetables, broilers, hothouse 
lambs, etc. Speaking of the great demand for broil¬ 
ers, Mr. Seely said that one single hotel in New York 
City would gladly make a contx-act to take the entire 
Ellerslie product of 20,000 per year. 
BUSINESS BITS. 
“ Death on Catti.e Fi.y ” seems to be in favor in fly time with 
stockmen. We see letters from breeders in various parts of the 
country, who report success with it in protecting animals from 
flies, and in most cases, they back up their recommendations 
with new orders for it. C. E. Mills Oil Co., Syracuse, N. Y., are 
the manufacturers. 
The great argument in favor of clover is that it saves nitrogen 
by taking it from the air. Thus in a clover rotation, less nitrogen 
need be bought. More potash and phosphoric acid must be used, 
though—to force the clover. William A. Pleasants, Baltimore, 
Md., is a fertilizer dealer who recognizes this fact. He puts up a 
fertilizer specially adapted to lands that do not need much nitro¬ 
gen. Here, then, is a good chance to secure prices on potash and 
phosphoric acid alone. Try it. 
How about those farm tools? Does the hayrake, the mowing 
machine, or other implement, look weather beaten and rusty ! 
Perhaps they stand out in the weather ! No matter where they 
are, we think it safe to say they need a coat of paint, and it will 
be big money in your pocket to supply this want. You probably 
don’t want to bother to mix paint. Well, send a postal card to 
O. W. Ingersoll, 240 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., and he will 
tell you how to provide paint ready mixed at little cost. 
Ouu advices are that hundreds of new silos are being built this 
season. Every one will need a cutter. We do hope that these silo 
men won’t go and get some poor, weak thing just because it is 
“ cheap.” If they do, right in the midst of the rush, there will be 
a breakdown and smashup that may upset the whole thing. The 
Ohio cutter, made by the Silver Mfg. Co.. Salem, O., is a good one. 
It will chop up your corn fodder in a way that will surprise you. 
Better not buy till you look over its merits. How ? Send to 
them for a book on “ Silos and Ensilage” that will teach you many 
things you don’t know now ! 
In wagons, as in many other farm implements, the middleman’s 
profit and expense in finding customers, make the cost come 
pretty high compared with the original cost of production and 
reasonable profit. The manufacturers who sell through agents, 
must protect the agents in a good, high price, and are, therefore, 
not able to sell to the consumer direct at a price that would be 
profitable if no agents or middlemen were employed. The Kala¬ 
mazoo Buckboard Co., Kalamazoo, Mich., are avoiding the middle¬ 
man feature, and give the plain retail price in their catalogue or 
price list, and sell direct to the consumer at these prices. We are 
using one of their two-seated, covered wagons at the home farm, 
now for the third year, and find it in every way equal, and in many 
features, superior, to others that we have used at nearly double 
the cost. 
Report of the Connecticut State Board of Agriculture for 1894. 
In many respects this is the most valuable publication that is 
issued by any State Board. It contains reports of the work done 
at the New Haven Station as well as that carried on at the Storrs 
Agricultural College. In addition to this valuable matter, are 
the papers read at the annual meeting of the State Board. 
Bulletin No. 121, of the New Haven, (Conn.) Station, pictures and 
describes two bad insects—the Elm leaf beetle and the San Jos6 
Scale. Whex-ever we go, we notice the woi-k of this Elm leaf 
beetle—iu the brown and punctui-ed leaves. Spraying the trees 
and leaves with Paris-green iu water, or using kerosene emulsion 
beneath the trees to kill the insect in the pupal stage, are methods 
of fighting, the insect. 
