pean manufacturers of such products. The latter, it may be said, far more generally employ tins, and far more seldom utilize the carton, than do American manufacturers.

An exporter of confectionery writes: "Half-pound cakes of Oriental chocolate are each wrapped in tin foil and a regular trade label, as used in the stores on this side of the water. They are packed in 7-pound cardboard boxes, and if necessary to make the cakes fit tightly, corrugated paper is laid between them and the sides of the box. Sixteen boxes are packed in each case, a strong wooden case being used, and the cases, except as noted below, are lined with waterproof paper. Net weight, 112 pounds; gross weight, about 140 pounds; size, 2.10 cubic feet.

"If the goods are being shipped to a very hot climate a layer of tin is used for lining instead of the waterproof paper. The tin is made to the inside measure of the packing case, and a tin cover is soldered on, so that it forms, to all intents and purposes, a tin inner case fitting close inside the wooden case. Cases are banded with two iron straps pulled tight and nailed."

Sundry Cartoned Goods.-An example of the mixed packing of different kinds and sizes of goods in cartons may be noted in the accompanying reproduction of photographs containing lead pencils (see pages 550, 555). It will be noted that in one instance pencils are all of one grade, and exactly fill the case, while the other case is not filled, and the open spaces have been stuffed with excelsior.

An illustration of the packing of collapsible tubes which are used with so many different kinds of products, and enclosed in cartons, is to be noted in the photograph supplied by a large manufacturer of printers' ink which is reproduced on page 555, and in regard to which the manufacturer writes: "Ordinarily one-quarter and onehalf pound lots of ink are packed in collapsible tubes. The tubes used are made of good quality burnished metal, and are filled on a special tube filling machine, after which the end is crimped over and the tube is labeled,

presenting the appearance as seen in photograph, where a tube is shown in the foreground. Each tube is then placed in a printed carton and the carton filled and solidly packed with sawdust, as indicated in the picture. Four of the one-quarter pound tube cartons are then placed in a large carton, making a very attractive onepound package composed of four tubes, each in its separate carton. This carton is shown in photograph." A description of the wooden cases employed by this particular manufacturer is given under the head of printers' ink in the chapter devoted to the packing of tinned goods.

Examples of novelties of various descriptions, toys, etc., shipped in cartons, and the packing for export believed desirable in such instances, are to be observed in three photographs (see page 556). The shippers describe their packing of these cases for shipment in the following language: "The accompanying photograph shows the packing of a case of Christmas tree ornaments. It will be observed that the cartons are divided into sections, to minimize the risk of breakage. These cartons must be packed into the outer case just closely enough to prevent jostling, but equal care must be taken not to pack too tightly. Note the oil paper lining of the case, which is always used for export when anything is packed that may be subject to damage from moisture.

"Another photograph illustrates the packing of a case of dolls, which are very breakable, being made of plaster pulp, a brittle composition containing plaster of Paris. Each doll is fitted tightly into its carton with corrugated paper and excelsior, so that it cannot move. Enough excelsior is used in each carton to give spring, should the case be dropped. The boxes are packed in even rows, the spaces between being well filled with excelsior.

"The third photograph shows the packing of toy sewing machines, each in an individual carton, the toys being wrapped in paper. A thick layer of excelsior is placed between each layer of cartons, but no excelsior is used inside of the cartons themselves to guard against

dust injuring the mechanism of the toys. The tilting of the case, as shown in the photograph, should be noted." This shipper states that nothing except dry goods is ever packed in his plant without tilting the case or barrel.

C

CHAPTER XXI

EXPORT SHIPMENTS IN BARRELS

OMMODITIES shipped for export in barrels are

almost limitless in variety and include some kinds of merchandise for which the use of barrels in domestic shipments by rail within our own borders would arouse no end of astonishment. Barreled goods, as related to the problem of export packing, comprise not only liquids of every description, from alcohol to lubricating oils, commodities in powdered form, from flour to chemicals, and commodities in solid condition, such as rosin, but also include many forms of hardware preferably shipped for export in barrels, to say nothing of such products as wire nails, glass, crockery and all sorts of products, from tobacco to sausage casings.

There are certain quite obvious requirements applying to the overseas transportation of barreled goods of any description, whether in tight barrels or slack barrels, or whether in tierces, half barrels, kegs or in pails or other packages to be classified in a general way under the heading of barrels. Such considerations include, for example, protection against leakage of liquids and protection against sifting of powdered contents. Other things to be considered which may not at first immediately suggest themselves, include protection against pilfering of contents from barrels, for valuable contents may be pilfered from barrels as greedily as from cases, and even in shipments of such a commodity, apparently far from tempting to thieves, as sausage casings, complaints have been received from abroad of extensive pilfering from the center of barrels.

As in all export shipping, manufacturers or others who forward their goods in barrels, ought to study attentively conditions in the markets to which their goods are

despatched, as this may possibly affect the character of barrels to be shipped. For example, there are some foreign countries in which barrels, when emptied of their original contents, are worth more locally than their original cost at point of shipment. Therefore, there is a great advantage in supplying sufficiently good barrels to ensure their arrival in good condition and without damage, in order that the buyers of the merchandise thus shipped may realize highest possible prices for the containers, and thus be better pleased with the merchandise and with the services of the American concerns from whom purchases have been made. In the Amazon district of Brazil, for example, it has been said that oak barrels with hickory hoops are worth twice as much as they cost. in New York, while soft wood barrels with flat hoops, arriving with heads split, are worth nothing at all and more than once have caused rejection by the importer of an entire shipment. Parenthetically, it should be noted that some European barrels, particularly barrels from France, command considerably higher prices at second hand than do American barrels at second hand, because of their superior quality over American barrels. Furthermore, the protection afforded by hardwood barrels against damage, and particularly destruction by rats on shipboard or while lying exposed on wharves, is also and always a highly important consideration.

Another illustration of the desirability of studying local conditions in markets to which barreled goods are shipped, is suggested by a report made a few years ago from one of the Central American republics that it is often advantageous to perforate the barrels and then fill up the holes soundly so as effectively to prevent the leakage of liquids or greases, because in some of the Latin American republics import tariff laws impose a duty on sound and water-tight barrels in addition to the duty on their contents, and the duty on the barrels themselves may be saved if, nominally at least, the barrels have been spoiled by the perforations which have been suggested. However, this is a rather fine point which