286 



HARVESTING AND MARKETING 



to distant markets, a much smaller number of different crops is 

 likely to be handled in the same load. In fact, each shipment is 

 likely to, consist of only one kind of vegetable, and there is usually 

 a recognized standard package in a given market for each kind 

 of vegetable shipped from a given locahty. 



In shipping vegetables to the large city markets it is essential 

 that standard packages be used, for the products do not sell as 

 well in packages other than those to which the market is accus- 

 tomed. Barrels, baskets, hampers and crates of various sizes and 

 shapes are employed for different products and different markets. 

 For the most part packages are well adapted to transporting and dis- 

 playing the products for which 

 they are used. They are neat 

 in appearance and as light as 

 the nature of the product will 

 permit. The more delicate and 

 easily injured the product, the 

 smaller, and especially shal- 

 lower, should be the package. 

 Thus, a suitable package for 

 ripe tomatoes is so shallow that 

 the specimens can be placed 

 only two layers deep. On the 

 other hand, onions or potatoes 

 can be shipped in barrels or 

 sacks. 



Packages used for shipping 

 green vegetables in hot weather 

 must be provided with plenty of 

 ventilation. They are usually 

 constructed quite largely of veneer strips, with ample spaces 

 between, which serve the double purpose of ventilation and means 

 for displaying the contents without the removal of the cover 

 (Fig. 172). The methods of packing employed take this factor 

 into account, and involve careful placing of the specimens with 

 reference to the openings in the packages, so that a neat and 

 attractive appearance will be secured. This applies ^\ath particular 

 force to tomatoes, string beans, muskmelons, okra, and other 

 vegetables that are normally shipped in packages ^^dth quite wide 

 openings at certain places. 



Washing and Bunching. — Whether intended for local or distant 



Fig. 172. — The slatted covers of melon 

 baskets insure thorough ventilation, and also 

 display the contents of the package to good 

 advantage. 



