CAULIFLOWER 



191 



cannot jostle and become discolored by friction. It is impossible 

 to market cauliflower which has been transported long distances by 

 rail in as attractive condition as that shipped only short distances 

 unless it is packed in small crates one layer deep, as is done by 

 California growers. 



Packing. Cauliflower grown in the East is usually packed in 

 ventilated barrels, after the heads have been trimmed as shown in 

 figure 67. A layer of excelsior is put in the bottom of the barrel, 



FIG. 68. A partially packed barrel of cauliflower 

 Note excelsior and trimmed heads 



and on this is packed, curd down, a layer of heads protected by 

 tea paper. A second layer of heads is packed on these in reverse 

 position, another layer of excelsior added, and the process repeated, 

 as suggested in figure 68, so that when the work is completed the 

 barrel appears as shown in figure 69. A burlap cap is then placed 

 over the barrel and hooped down. Frame-grown and house-grown 

 cauliflower are marketed either in baskets or boxes, while the Cali- 

 , f ornia-grown product is usually packed and shipped in small boxes 

 holding six heads. These are shallow carriers similar to those used 

 for shipping muskmelons in a single layer. 



