Miscellaneous Information. 441 



Receptacles, Weights, Measures, and Terms used in 

 Marketing Produce. 



NOTE. In packing produce for market the most important points 

 to observe are that it is good, clean, and attractive, of equal quality 

 throughout, of the full weight or measure described, and in parcels 

 of convenient and equal size and shape. Granted these points, the 

 particular kind of receptacle used is to some extent immaterial, 

 in fact some of those described below are gradually being displaced 

 by others, and so becoming obsolete. Still, it is not wise to disregard 

 local or trade customs without a good reason, and before doing so the 

 salesman who is to handle the produce should be consulted. 



BAG. A sack holding from J to 1 cwt., according to nature of contents. 



BUNCH. A quantity of vegetables or herbs tied together, the size and 

 number varying with the season and the market to which they are sent. 



BUNDLE. Such vegetables as rhubarb, asparagus, and seakale, which 

 consist almost entirely of stem with little or no foliage, are made up in 

 bundles, the size of which varies according to the season and market. A 

 bundle of rhubarb contains from 2 or 3 sticks at the beginning of the forcing 

 season to 20 or 30 in the summer ; asparagus, 100 to 120 shoots ; seakale, 

 12 to 18 heads. 



BUSHEL BASKET. A wicker basket of the capacity of 8 imperial gallons. 

 Used for various kinds of vegetables and fruit. In most cases the contents 

 require to be heaped before they are considered, to be a full bushel. 



CHIP. A basket made of thin strips of wood, interwoven. Used prin- 

 cipally for strawberries and raspberries, but also occasionally for tomatoes, 

 mushrooms, &c. Of various sizes, the holding capacity running from 3lbs. 

 to 12lbs. 



CRATE. A wicker-work basket used for packing cauliflower, broccoli, and 

 early spring cabbage, the holding capacity being 5 or 6 dozen. 



EMPTIES. A term used to denote empty baskets and other receptacles 

 which are sent to the grower by the salesman, to be filled with produce and 

 consigned back to him. 



FLASKET. A basket half the size of a " Load " basket, which see. 



FLAT. An oblong shallow lidded basket holding a bushel, used principally, 

 though not exclusively, for marketing cucumbers, of which it holds from 2 

 to 3J dozen, according to their size. Occasionally it is used for choice veget- 

 ables, and frequently for some kinds of fruit. 



FLY. A receptacle formed of cane, with open wide mesh, used for con- 

 veying herbs to market. 



HALF-BUSHEL. A basket of the capacity of 4 imperial gallons, used for 

 similar purposes to the " Bushel Basket." 



HALF-SIEVE. See " Half-Bushel." 



HALVES. Same as " Half-Sieve " and " Half-Bushel." 



