The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-11-04

Gently by the buyer for Hall, Wedge
& Carter of Chicago that the next big
crop-or the next but one, from this
valley will be packed for the main
part in barrels, thus effecting con-
siderable saving in the cost of the
preparation of the package and
greatly increasing the output of the
valley. Shippers for the most part
scoffed at the idea, though as Mr..
Poulin pointed out this morning, at
least two of the large shippers on the
row have this season adopted the ex-
pedient of shipping in boxes UNI
wrapped Mr.. Thompson says in fur
Their support of the idea:
Saving is Great.
The cost of packing in boxes 49,
900 carloads Of apples, which | take
as a conservative estimate, though
some growers have prophesied So
600 carloads in the next 10 years, is
shown in the following table to reach
the enormous total of $2,16O,OOO
more than it would cost to put the
same amount of fruit in barrels. The
figures are:
Pack 100000 boxes. s1.200,000
PAPER 900. ... 100000
Making boxes 240,OOO
Nails .... lzo'ooo
Total ...... 81. O,00o
Think of this tremendous saving
in the cost of the preparation for
market and what it would mean to
the grower, for the cheaper the pro-
duct can be brought to the consumer
and still maintain fair price for the
grower, the more everybody is go
ing to be please?.
Grading the Same.
The grading of the fruit is tie
same in either case, whether boxes
or barrels are used. Once graded
the fruit would go into the barrel aid
the matter would be ended. 1t takes
8 1-2 boxes to make a barrel, and /
believe there would be very sub
stantial saving between the cost OF
one barrel and 1-2 boxes, for not
long ago | had quotations of 10
cents each on barrels on the coast
and with cents added for freight
ana cents for cooperage the cost
would be below rather than above
80 cents.
Inspection is Easy.
LAS far as inspection is concerned
a barrel of apples with one head out
can be examined without difficulty,
while anything but the most cursory
examination of wrapped apples is im-
possible. Dealers will welcome the
package Why, few years ago |
was in the warehouse of Newhal &
Co. in Chicago and saw them repack.
ing Yakima and California apples in
barrels, and was told that the fruit
sold better that way than in boxes.
venture the assertion that there are
| so apple buyers in the barrel section
to one in the box district, as nearly
all our clients from the east are ask
| ing for barrel goods.
Then again, apples can be put
aboard cars much more quickly when
in barrels, and too much haste can
not be used in getting fruit on the
way to market. Eastern buyers tel!
me that it is not uncommon there
to see apples on the trees in the
morning and at night loaded In cars
ana rolling to market This is an
advantage that cannot be overlooked
and moreover, growers and shippers
in the Yakima valley ought to well
come a cheaper package, which Will
certainly not cheaper the goods, but
will enable the offering of apples a.
| a lesser cost to the consuming trade
and still leave the grower as much
per pound for his fruit.
Still a Box Trade.
Now, mind you, do not want to
be quoted as saying that all apples
are to be packed in barrels. Not by
any means. Extra fancy Spleen
bergs, Delicious, Yellow Newtowns,
Winesaps and Jonathans should con-
tinue to be put in boxes for the fancy
market, but l am of the opinion that
Is per cent of all the apples raised
in the Yakima valley should and VIII
be packed in barrels within eight
years. The labor question alone will
preclude the use of boxes for the Ell
tire crop, and the saving above OUT
lined of $2,16O,O00 can be effected
when this crop reaches the proper
tions of 10000 carloads, which viii