218 The Principles of Vegetable -Gardening 



the same size; (4) the box is far better for showing off 

 goods. Perhaps the most desirable form for a bushel 

 box for general use is sixteen inches square and eight 

 inches deep, inside dimensions. The end pieces should 

 be one inch thick, with a handle hole in each end. The 

 sides and bottom should be one-half inch thick. This is 

 the style of box commonly used in the markets of Bos- 

 ton and vicinity. Such a box is there sold for about 

 ten cents. A wagon for carrying such boxes to best 

 advantage should be wide enough to allow of placing in 

 the body of it two rows of boxes abreast and two deep. 

 In building a load of boxes, when ventilation is needed 

 for those in the lower tier, a short piece of wood, one- 

 half an inch thick, may be laid across the upper corners 

 of the corner boxes so that the second tier will rest 

 upon them. The deck boards may carry several tiers of 

 boxes, which will bind well together and make a solid 

 load." 



In handling the products in the field and in the store- 

 house, it is important that they be kept dry and cool. 

 Over-ripeness and decay are then prevented. They should 

 be put on the market or in storage quickly, before they 

 have been subjected to unfavorable conditions of weather 

 or to accidents. Some vegetables, as onions, are not 

 injured by being left in the sun for a few hours or 

 even days; but, as a rule, it is better to keep the 

 vegetables in partial shade, particularly such as remain 

 green or soft in their marketable stage. If one has any 

 quantity of vegetables to handle, it is well to have a 

 packing-house or shed. In this shed there should be 

 tables or counters on which the sorting or grading can 



