Grading, Packing, and Marketing. 395 



throughout the winter, according to demand and prices. They should be 

 firm, sound, and clean, cleared of loose skins, graded into two or three 

 sizes, and packed in bags containing Jcwt. or Icvvt. 



The bunching of Spring or Green Onions begins as soon as the plants 

 are large enough, generally early in March, and continues through April 

 and May. The size of the bunches varies in different districts. In many 

 places they are tied in small bunches containing twelve, and twelve of 

 these are tied together to make a large bunch ; in other districts the large 

 bunch contains a score of small ones. Before tying into large bunches 

 they are well washed. Where quantities are grown the washing and bunch- 

 ing is generally done by piece-work. They are despatched to market in 

 hampers. SPRING-SOWN ONIONS are often sent to market when they are 

 half or three-parts grown, in bunches containing from six to twenty, accor- 

 ding to the size of the Onions and the market they are sent to. 



PARSLEY. The demand for Parsley continues practically all the year 

 round. The plants are sometimes pulled up by the roots and bunched in that 

 condition, but it is much better to make the bunches of foliage only, which 

 should always be clean and bright. The size of the bunch varies with the 

 season, being as much as can be held in one hand during the summer when 

 it is plentiful, and not more than a quarter that size in winter when it is 

 scarce. It is sent to market in flats, pads, or hampers, and is sold by the 

 dozen bunches. 



PARSNIPS. These are ready for use in October and supplies are sent 

 to market continuously throughout the winter, either from store or lifted 

 fresh from the ground, as required. In the latter case the roots are in 

 better condition and of superior flavour, but it is not always convenient for 

 the grower to allow them to continue occupying the ground. They are 

 often sent to market in a very rough and dirty condition, but this is a bad 

 practice and should be condemned. They should be washed and graded 

 into two even samples, whilst the rough and ill-shaped roots should be 

 disposed of for cattle feeding. They are sent to market in various ways as 

 appears the most convenient bushel baskets, hampers, sacks, boxes, and 

 barrels all being used, and where they are grown largely they are fre- 

 quently sent loose, in road wagons or railway trucks. 



PEAS. Picking of the earliest Peas should begin as soon as the pods 

 give evidence that the enclosed seed has developed to a useful size. Some 

 growers are in such a hurry to get early Peas on the market that they send 

 stuff which is practically all pod, the Peas which they should contain being 

 an almost negligible quantity. Such a proceeding is not a long way from 

 dishonesty, and brings early produce into disrepute with the deluded pur- 

 chaser. The first pickings should be consigned in half-bushel baskets, 

 covered with grass or vegetable leaves, and fastened down with crossed 

 sticks. Different varieties should not be mixed together when it can be 

 avoided, and where a good class direct trade is done it may be sometimes 



