l66 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



will nest snugly. Every possible effort should be made 

 to prevent bruising' the vegetables. 



224. Facilities for packing. — Vegetables are sometimes 

 packed in the field where grown, when they do not need 

 to be washed or handled very much before packing. 

 There are serious objections, however, to field packing 

 which as a rule does not admit of thorough grading. 

 There is also greater danger of the vegetables going to 

 market without being properly cleaned. It is also diffi- 

 cult to load for market in the field, especially if the 

 ground is soft or the land hilly. The field lacks the 

 proper facilities for packing. For this reason all market 

 gardeners and many truckers have packing sheds or 

 houses. 



The building used for packing may be temporary or 

 permanent. It is often convenient to have a cheaply con- 

 structed shed in or near the field, although there are 

 many arguments in favor of a permanent house which 

 may constitute the center of activities and be the head- 

 quarters during the market season. Various crops may 

 be brought from different fields to the packing house, so 

 that the foreman may have opportunity to inspect every 

 package before it is loaded for market. Every facility and 

 convenience should be provided for the speedy handling 

 of each crop. 



The packing house should be centrally located, near 

 the other farm buildings if possible, and should be sub- 

 stantial, convenient, comfortable, well lighted and prop- 

 erly ventilated. Comparatively few packing houses meet 

 these conditions; they are usually dark, dingy rooms 

 lacking many^facilities and conveniences of arrangement. 



The main floor of the packing house should be made 

 of concrete, sloping gently to drains. Water may then 

 be used freely in washing vegetables or wagons. If the 

 house is to be used in cold weather, the doors should 

 fit snugly and provision be made for heating. 



