Facilities  at  the  ports  of  exit  are  usually  such  that  loading  aboard  ship
may  be  accomplished  in  a  reasonably  careful  manner,  but  at  most  of  the
ports  of  the  insular  possessions  and  foreign  countries  those  conditions  are
not  maintained  and  freight  shipped  thereto  is  frequently  subjected  to  very
rough  handling  during  the  process  of  unloading.  It  should  be  borne
in  mind  that  the  transportation  often  times  is  not  completed  upon  arrival
at  the  port  overseas,  but  after  lying  exposed  to  the  weather  for  some  time
on  account  of  lack  of  adequate  storage  facilities,  the  goods  may  be  trans-
ported inland  by  some  primitive  means,  increasing  the  chance  of  breakage,
as  is  done  in  Nicaragua  where  bull  carts  are  used  over  roads  too  bad  for
other  conveyances.  Wooden  containers  for  export  shipments  should,  there-
fore, be  made  of  closely  fitted  material,  sufficiently  strong  to  afford  ample
protection  to  the  article  being  shipped,  reinforced  with  strong  wire  or
metal  straps.  Metal  containers  should  be  painted  or  primed  to  prevent
rusting.  Other  containers  should  be  constructed  and  reinforced  for  the
proper  protection  of  the  commodity  being  shipped.  Formerly  it  was
thought  necessary  to  pack  all  export  goods  subject  to  damage  from  damp-
ness or  sea  water  in  hermetically  sealed  (i.  e.,  air-tight)  tin  or  zinc  lined
cases.  This  expensive  form  of  shipping  has  now  been  practically  abolished;
tarred,  oiled  or  otherwise  water  proof  paper  has  been  subtituted  for  the
metal.  The  hermetically  sealed  tin-lined  case  is,  however,  still  highly
desirable  in  the  shipment  of  any  sort  of  unusually  delicate  goods,  especially
when  the  route  taken  leads  through  tropical  waters  or  to  excessively
damp  ports.  The  extent  to  which  hot,  moist  air  may  penetrate  is  almost
past  belief;  and  it  must  never  be  forgotten  that  goods  shipped  by  sea
are  liable  to  be  splashed  if  not  deluged  by  sea  water  in  loading  and  un-
loading.
