27 
inches, and the top is some 3 inches narrower than the bottom, thus 
holding the bunches more firmly, as they, being smaller at the top, 
are often shaken about and bruised in the straight-sided boxes. These 
are made of different heights to accommodate long or short bunches, 
but as there is often a pre- 
mium, sometimes equal to 
all expenses of shipping, 
on long bunches, it is wise 
to provide for full-length 
bunches, especially when 
shipping green asparacus. 
Figs. 6 and 7 show 2 long 
bunches of green aspara- 
gus (side and end views), 1 
bunch containing 11 spears 
and weighing 2; pounds, Z 
and the other 25 spears and y | | 
t 
i ae 


N 













weighing 3 pounds. The | ih 
first is an ‘‘extra” and the a pe 
other a ‘‘ prime.” 
Figs. 8 and 9 show four 
bunches of white asparagus 
cut for a cannery on Long Fie. 6.—Two bunches of green asparagus (10 inches long, 
Island, and classedas primes. with 11 and 25 spears, respectively). 
The box on which they stand 
is 14 inches wide and the bunches 8% inches long. 
When shipped long distances these packages should go by express, as 
the time even fast freight consumes will prove injurious to asparagus. 
Bunches which have to be kept for a day or more, or even over night, 
should either be packed in 
sand in a cool cellar or set 
with their butt ends in shal- 
low (1 inch deep) pans of 
water. 
The yield per acre and price 
~ per bunch have a decided 
effect upon the profit and loss 
point of view. The canners 
who this year (1897) paid 10 
Fic. 7.—End view of the two bunches of green asparagus a 
rowing’ centsa bunch for prime aspar- 
agus or 4 cents for culls paid 
prices which satisfied growers, although in the city markets prices 
were somewhat higher than usual, as the cool spring made the crop late 
even if it did not lessen the yield. The contractors, of course, took 
all asparagus offered, and the growers found it more profitable than — 
shipping to city markets. 




