MARKETING 115 



to nine dozen, according to the size of the plants. 

 The bottom of the crate is nearly tight, while the 

 sides and top are quite open, as illustrated in Fig. 

 48. The top and a part of one side of the crate is 

 left open until it is filled with celery. The packers 

 are followed by the men who nail the crates, and 

 the celery should then be promptly loaded upon 



FiG. 47 PACKING CELERY IN CRATES IN CALIFORNIA FIELD 



wagons and hauled direct to the car. As a rule the 

 crates are marked before packing in order that no 

 time may be lost in handling. When the shipping 

 season is at its height, the large growers aim to, 

 have the celery in the car within two hours after 

 being cut, and often loading several cars in a single 

 day. ' On reaching the car the crates are carefully 

 placed with small air spaces for ventilation, and 

 packed in this manner the ordinary refrigerator car 

 will hold from 160 to 165 crates. 



