The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-16
HANDLING PERISHABLE CROPS

V -N -A- A The following seasonal recommendations are made by the bureau of markets. Uni- ted States department of agriculture
 All farmers engaged in the production of perishables should keep clearly in mind the necessity of tue maximum con- servation and utilization or all perish able fruit and vegetable crops produced.
 After the crop is grown no factor is of greater importance that proper and care full handling throughout all harvesting operations. In harvesting and packing every means should be taken to insure careful handling, picking, hauling, pack ing and loading. Careless handling will cause loss and deterioration in transit, reduce materially the returns to the grow CTS and shippers, and will lessen the food supply of the country.
 In this emergency, in so far as pos sible, perishables must replace staples as food. It is essential that every agency concerned in the handling and the trans portation of our perishable foodStufS ex- ercise every precaution to insure sound delivery of them to consumers; avoid bruising and rough handling, and get all fruits or vegetables which normally are transported under refrigeration into the refrigeration car as quickly as pos sible. Every car should be loaded in such manner as to provide If possible straight uninterrupted channels for free air circulation from end to end of the car
 If the load is properly slowed and braced many products can be loaded heavier than is the usual practice With the shortage of refrigerators and other equipment used, it is essential to load every car as heavily as is consistent with safety.
 PROVIDE ADEQUATE STORAGE
 Provide adequate storage for fruits and vegetables Unless adequate storage fa- cilities are provided this fall for such fruits as apples and pears, and for vege- tables like Irish and sweet potatoes, mill lions of bushels of these valuable food products will be lost. It is becoming in creasingly difficult to move the crops from various sections during the har- vesting season. This year, with the un- precedented demand for cars for every purpose, it is even more difficult than usual It is essential that the producers and shippers provide greatly increased storage facilities, particularly air-cooled or common storage.
 Put in shape the facilities you have, provide more if necessary, or, if you have none provide sufficient to take care Of a considerable portion of the crop. In the construction of such storages, keep in mind two fundamentals-the providing of sufficient insulation and the provision for effective ventilation or cooling by means of the colder outside air. Provide the facilities now. Do not wait until the rush of the season Is on. Have them ready It should mean money in your pocket and more food for the country. In sections where the harvesting season is not yet on, provide now for boxes, crates, barrels, packing machinery, etc. Put the packing house in order; provide in so far as possible for labor and foremen; la miliarize yourself with requirements as regards package markings, either state or federal.
 Utilize every practical means for con serving all fruits and vegetables not suit able for shipment in fresh state. Plan and decide now how you will handle the off-sizes and such fruits and vegetables as cannot be shipped proftably in fresh state Conserve it if possible and prac- tcable. You cannot afford to waste food. COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS
 Many producers fail to receive the high est returns for their products because they do not pay sufficient attention to their marketing problems. In many in
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