HARVESTING AND MARKETING 



89 



SORTING AND BUNCHING 



In some local markets asparagus is sold loose, by 

 weight, in which case but little regard is paid to the 

 size and length and color of the stalks, nor to the style 

 of packing. This is the most profitable way for the 

 grower to sell, as it saves him all the expense and labor 

 of bunching, and as even the smallest stalks are thus 



FIG. 26 — VARIOUS ASPARAGUS KNIVES 



salable, there is no waste whatever, while the prices 

 obtained are about the same as those for first-class 

 bunches — that is, two pounds of loose asparagus sell 

 for about the same price as a full-sized bunch. But in 

 city markets asparagus could hardly be sold in such a 

 condition, and it is of first importance that it should 

 be carefully graded and neatly bunched. 



Sorting. — Careful growers assort into three sizes : 

 extras, primes, and seconds. The size and weight of 

 the bunches vary somewhat in different markets. 



