PACKING AND MARKETS. 



93 



for packing. If the first four laths with which the con- 

 struction of a crate usually commences, a, ~b, c, and d, in 

 figure 5, are a trifle thicker than the others, ventilation 

 will be more effectively secured in a pile of crates. 



If the contents are to be shaken down, two laths are 

 placed loosely over the bulging vegetables, to prevent 

 their jarring out; and grasping the ends of the crate at 

 A and B, each end is lifted by the packer, and allowed 

 to come down alternately with a sudden thump, and this 



Fig. 6. A BARREL CRATE. 



process is continued until the contents have thoroughly 

 settled. 



Each crate should be plainly and neatly marked by a 

 stencil plate on both ends, with the name or initials both 

 of the shipper and the consignee. When a mark has 

 been adopted, it should be retained, so that it may be 

 known by the buyers. Old brands on second-hand 

 barrels should be thoroughly removed by the scraper, be- 

 fore they are marked. 



The wood from which the crates are made should be 



