174 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



Very little effort has been made to standardize the size 

 of different kinds of packages. It would be necessary, 

 of course, to have different sizes of some styles, but the 

 whole matter could be easily adjusted. The dimensions 

 or capacities of truck barrel hampers, half-barrel ham- 

 pers, six-basket carriers or crates and other classes of 

 packages should be uniform throughout the country. 



227. Grading. Careful grading is imperative for dis- 

 criminating markets. Uniformity in size, shape, color, 

 markings and ripeness counts for more than most grow- 

 ers realize. Eighty bushels of tomatoes properly graded 

 will bring more money on most markets than 100 bushels 

 ungraded. One inferior specimen may repel a dozen 

 buyers. 



The number of grades necessarily varies with the 

 market and the vegetable to be graded. It is generally 

 profitable to make at least three market grades, accord- 

 ing to size or other points of merit. The work of grad- 

 ing should be most carefully supervised in order that 

 the grades established be maintained. Badly damaged 

 and very imperfect specimens should be discarded. 



228. Packing. There are three main considerations in 

 the packing of vegetables after they have been cleaned 

 and graded and a desirable package selected. 



(i) The appearance of the product must be attractive 

 when offered to the public. Attractiveness is secured not 

 only by cleaning, grading and using the proper package, 

 but the vegetables must be tastefully arranged. It often 

 pays to place each specimen in the most careful manner. 

 The value of skillful arrangement has been clearly dem- 

 onstrated by the California fruit growers. Not only 

 should the top layer show to an advantage, but the ar- 

 rangement should be pleasing down to the bottom. A 

 pleasing appearance may also be secured by lining the 

 package with white paper ; by using a border or cover of 

 laced or fancy colored paper; by covering with red mos- 



