The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1916-11-16
CONTINUED from last weekly

Recent Investigations by the Office
OF Markets and Rural Organization of
the cantaloupe-growing industry have
shown the need of Standardization in
the handling of this product also.
Losses were found to occur from the
failure carefully to select the melons
for size and quality, from packing
them loosely and unattractively in
crates, and from the use of containers
OF haphazard sizes and shapes. On the
other hand, it was found that produc-
ers of cantaloupes who took extreme
care in handling, grading and packing
had practically no losses and found a
ready sale for their product. Studies in
the marketing of berries, peaches and
other perishable products have en-
phasized further the general need for
standardization and the desirable re-
suits that flow from its adoption to
even limited extent. .r- E .S-
The Office, in studying the stand
ardization problems involved in the
marketing of these perishable products
also has gathered information in re-
gard to the ways in which the prob
lens are being met in various locali-
ties. A bulletin has been issued on this
phase of marketing cantaloupes and
bulletins on grading, packing and ship
ping other fruits and vegetables will
follow. The Office also is compiling a
digest of state laws on Standardization
and on weights and measures used in
marketing.
| In bringing about general adop-
tion of standardization supplies and
methods in marketing, cooperative as
sociations Of growers, it is believed,
may be relied on as important factors.
Such organizations can extend uniform
practices over important producing
areas. On a larger scale, standardiza-
ton may be effected thru national or
CARNATIONS. In 1912, congress estab-
lished standard barrel for shipping
apples in interstate commerce, and q
law enacted at the last session of con-
gress prescribes standard baskets of
the Climax type for the interstate
shipment of grapes, peaches and other
fruits.
| Transportation of Perishables
Assuming that the producer of per-
ishable fruits or vegetables has sol
we'd the dominant problem of all in
marketing, and one which must be
treated separately-the finding of a
market-he will need, after the pre-
paration of his products, to take up the
problems relating to transportation
Here he will meet again the limita-
tions of small-scale operations, for he
will find the securing of the necessary
rolling stock, refrigerator cars, speedy
shipment and advantageous rates to
be, in general, the more difficult in
proportion as his shipment are less
than car lots. The latter are the us.
ual freight units, and to obtain IA
cilities for smaller shipments, is, in
most cases, difficult and always rela.
lively expensive. AS mater of fact
when the distance involved is more
than 500 or 600 miles the physical
limitations surrounding the transpor-
tation of less than carload shipments
of any kind make it quite out of the
question to transport any highly
perishable commodity in less thar
carload lots. While some producer:
have made a success up to such dis
tances of individual, parcel-post, ex
press and freight shipments, for thu
most part the conditions to be me-
with in marketing perishables witt
other than relatively short hauls have
compelled the growers either to sci
to local buyers who assemble larg'
quantities or to join cooperative as
sociations of producers who assemble
and ship on their own account.
The character of the physical equip
ment of the railroads and their ser
vices largely affects the success Of tn
truck and fruit growers far from mar
ket. Shipments of perishables usual!
are made merely under ventilation il
cool weather, but in warm weather re
frigerator cars, carefully iced, mus
be employed. The age, type, and condi
ton of these cars greatly affect thei
efficiency. Even the best of them mus