166 VEGETABLE FORCING 



automobiles. If an article is not attractive it is not likely 

 to sell well. Vision must be appealed to if we wish to 

 make prompt sales at good prices. When the eye is 

 pleased, the mind usually decides quickly and favorably 

 as to the value of the article. This is practical psychology 

 applied to salesmanship. 



Now, various factors are involved in the art of making 

 greenhouse vegetables attractive when offered for sale. 

 The variety grown is an important consideration. For 

 example, curly-leaf lettuce is much more pleasing in ap- 

 pearance than plain sorts, and bright red tomatoes are 

 preferable to dull red specimens. The form of the product 

 is also important. No one would claim that an ill-shaped 

 cucumber is as attractive as one that is uniformly 

 cylindrical except at the ends. 



Numerous illustrations might be given to show that both 

 color and form are important factors in relation to the 

 attractiveness of vegetables. The choicest and finest ones 

 will fail to fully please the eye of the prospective pur- 

 chaser unless they are graded and packed in the proper 

 manner. Packages which are small, neat, clean and con- 

 venient appeal to the vision, and if they are filled with 

 superior vegetables, tastefully arranged, they will not fail 

 to command attention. 



Mention should also be made in this connection of ty- 

 ing materials, oiled paper, labels, trademarks, etc., which 

 not only attract attention, but convey the impression 

 that the vegetables are of special quality. The appear- 

 ance of the market wagon and team, or of the delivery 

 truck, as well as the neatness and personality of the sales- 

 man, should also have consideration. 



Harvesting. Each crop should be harvested at the 

 proper time to obtain the highest yield without sacrificing 

 quality. Over-ripeness should be carefully avoided, for 

 such a condition always impairs quality. 



Various kinds of baskets and crates are used in gather- 

 ing the crops. If the houses are small the products are 



