The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-05-20
STRAWBERRY DISTRIBUTION.
shipping In CARROTS. Northern Berries Large
" Sold On Local Markets. Seasonal Dis.

Shipping In CARROTS. Northern Berries Large
ySold On Local Markets. Seasonal Dis
stribution. eEsa.a
"A recent survey of the production and
marketing of strawberries in the United
STATES, made by the Agricultural depart
ment. indicates that the eight most i'm
portant commercial strawberry districts
are central California, Tennessee, Mary
land, Delaware, southern Louisiana,
Nortn ana South Carolina, Virginia, and
the Ozarks. In 1914, 1905 carloads of
strawberries were shipped from central
California. Lesser quantities were ship
ped from the other districts, which are
named in the order of their importance.
FROM the Ozarks came 74S carloads last
year.
The authors of the survey, which is
published in Bulletin 237 of the depart
ment, Strawberry Supply and Distri-
button In l9l4, point out, however, that
the North plays more important part in
the strawberry industry than these
hgures might Indicate Great quantities
OF berries are grown in the North in
small patches and shipped to market by
trolley, express, or in the producers own
wagon. Only very small portion of
nofthern.groW berries are concentrated
INTO carload lots, the basis for the Gov
eminent survey. In the South, however,
en- the racine coast, where berries are
shfpped long distances, it is economical
to arrange to have them sent by carloads.
The bulletin already mentioned contains
ilst OF all shipping stations in the Unit
ed States, where carload shipments origi-
nate, together with the number of car
loads sent out in 1914. From this list it
appears that there was grand total of
l4,55o. z carloads of Strawberries shipped
commercially in 1914. Of these 2,312
came from California, the States closest
competitor being Tennessee with total
of 1,5715
Another chart in the bulletin shows
tne duration OF the shipping seasons in
the various sections. Strawberries begin
10 leave central Florida as early as De-
cember, and the movement continues
until the end of March. By the first of
March the first Strawberries from south
ern Texas and southern California find
their way to the market. About the
middle of March the Louisiana crop BE-
gins to move. continuing about two
months, or until the middle of Nav. Nav
49,, indeed, the great month for carload
shipments. By far the greatest part of
the Tennessee and Virginia crop is ship
ped at that time, as well as much of the
Delaware, southern Illinois, and Mary
land supply. By the end of June south
ern California Is almost the only area
from which casload shipments are being
made. The Strawberries then on the
market are chiefly grown in small quaint
ties In areas close TO the great consuming
sections.
In connection with this work the De-
partment is conducting a Geographic
market news service of the daily move
ment of Strawberries to the various large
markets during the current season, to-
gether with the prices received. Reports
OF these movements and prices are tele-
graphed daily to producing areas and
consuming centers in order to assist in
the profitable distribution of the crop.