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Abstract
Excerpt from the report Preface: Loading patterns used for containers of various perishable and fragile agricultural products determine to a large extent the degree of protection that can be afforded to the commodities against damage and deterioration during transportation. Efficient methods of stowing and securing the load can weld several hundred relatively weak and fragile containers into a strong, solid load that can withstand normal transportation hazards. All the advantages of sturdy, attractive containers and a modern refrigerated truck trailer can be nullified by loading the containers in the vehicle in such a way as to predispose them and their contents to damage or to prevent adequate refrigeration and ventilation by blocking completely or partially the circulation of air around, under, and through the load. This study, aimed at improving loading methods to provide better transportation protection for Florida avocados and limes, is part of a broad program of research of the Agricultural Marketing Service to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of marketing agricultural products.