CHAPTER VIII 

 MARKETING 



MARKETING is the most important phase of vegetable 

 growing, and is the point where a great majority of growers 

 make their failure. Many men are excellent growers, but 

 for some reason do not put their produce on the market in 

 attractive packages, or else do not have it in season, or it is 

 of poor quality. A few days' tardiness in putting some 

 produce on the market may mean a loss of profit on it. A 

 good, honest, attractive pack is always a splendid means of 

 holding the steady trade of a customer, and this is what 

 should always be aimed at. 



Grading. It pays to grade vegetables as well as fruits. 

 As a rule fifty bushels of tomatoes well graded to size, shape, 

 color, etc., will sell more quickly and for a better price 

 than fifty bushels ungraded. Neater packages may be made 

 up of vegetables well graded than where they are mixed, and 

 attractiveness is the great factor in selling any produce. 



Cleanliness. Cleanliness is an important factor in 

 selling. Some vegetables, such as cucumbers, cabbage, 

 etc., may be packed in the field without washing; others, 

 such as radishes, lettuce, celery, and the root crops, are 

 often washed in the packing shed. This washing not only 

 takes off the dirt but brightens and freshens the vegetables 

 Asparagus, celery, and rhubarb are often stood on end 

 in a shallow pan of water to prevent their wilting. Some 

 vegetables, as the root crops, often require careful scrubbing 

 to make them clean. Eggplants, tomatoes, and melons 

 may be wiped off with a damp cloth. Clean, new packages 

 should always be used, 



