| Show standardization IS ESSENTIAL SYSTEM MARKET FOR economical 4 ft V but in fact potatoes tha basket v ri the right may appear to hold more the one on the left it contains fewer potatoes than it Is agreed that if food costs are to be lorr eved a more economical system of distribution of farm products must be perfected and placed in practical use lice standardization say experts of the bureau ot of markets united states department part ment of agriculture Is the he essential basis tor for such a 1 system this means not only standard grades for fruits and vegetables vegetable but standards for the containers in which they are packed should sell by y weight the bureau of markets is charged with the enforcement of the united states standard container net act which provides only for standard capacities for grape lind and berry baskets used in interstate commerce the application of this law lias hns resulted in the widespread use lase of these containers in intrastate tra state commerce also tor for shipp shippers eKs have come to appreciate the benefits derived front from tile the use of uniform methods of marketing such fruits standardization of larger shipping containers such as hampers tind and bonind round stave stave baskets Is equally desirable say the bureaus experts of course the best method Is to sell produce by the pound but where it Is impracticable to sell by weight uniform containers conta iners should ile be used bushel baskets of peaches from georgia and colorado should contain tile the same quantity of peaches the same is true of any other food commodity shipped in hampers or baskets an illustration of how the present methods result in dissatisfaction Is the case of a F florida producer who recently shipped potatoes to the new york fork market in a condall container ner w with if t I 1 aich tile the trade was not familiar although the potatoes were of high quality difficulty was experienced in disposing of them when they were finally anally sold the price was considerably lower per pound than that commanded by potatoes racked packed in the custo customary illary manner at present there are about fifty types of liam hampers pers and oner oer twenty sizes of round stave baskets lit in use many of these sizes are simply the outgrowth of custom in various shipping localities others are used for the express purpose of deception and aside from the confusion and uncertainty that result from the use of dozens of different hinds of containers millions of dollars are annually lost through destruction of produce in transit on oil account of the weak construction strai st atlon of the containers use used would reduce number of containers many large growers shippers and basket manufacturers appreciate the desirability of reducing the number of these containers and a nationwide nation wide movement is on foot to eliminate many of them operative cooperative co selling organizations are already doing much to promote uniformity and standardization it means money to them not only because of the familiarity of the trade with the containers used bt but it in permitting methods of loading into cars that reduce the likelihood of breakage to a minimum after a careful canvass of tile the situation the bureau of markets believes and in this it those 10 e w who ito have studied the problem are of the same opinion that five standard hampers and four standard round stave baskets are sufficient to meet all shipping requirements requirement the specifications provide for volume d dimensions men mens lons or shape and strength I 1 in addition to the advantages of uniformity tile the adoption of these sizes will ali e enable n a b I 1 e tile he railroads to work out ion loading rules that nill mill permit of a more intensive utilization of car space and which will bo be bound to reduce to a minimum claims on account of dam ige age in transit proposed dimensions for standard hampers I 1 inside dimensions capacity diameter diameter slant T length 4 nath till c kness of top of J atom height of stave of stave I 1 peel ION 63 6 A 9 10 1 10 aa bushel 13 SA 12 12 idt 1 19 10 I 1 bushel W 9 19 20 IV i bushels no 1 1614 9 26 27 V w 1 i bushels bushel s no 2 wi 10 23 24 proposed dimensions for standard round stave baskets inside diameter average number capacity at top inside depth of staves of 0 staves y bushel 13 8 20 10 1 20 1 bushel 17 10 20 1 13 hii 1 bushels 19 21 24 1 16 2 bushels 21 1 21 24 1 16 |
