l68 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



in water for a few moments before packing for local 

 markets. Thorough' washing is generally regarded as 

 necessary for celery, lettuce, asparagus and all of the 

 root crops, and considered an advantage under certain 

 conditions for many other crops. Whatever the vege- 

 table, it must be clean to make a favorable impression 

 on the buyer, although it is not always advisable to use 

 water freely. Tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, musk- 

 melons, squashes, peppers and eggplants can usually be 

 wiped with a damp cloth to secure the required cleanli- 

 ness. 



Vegetables which are bunched may be washed before 

 tying, but the most common practice is to wash after 

 tying, because the work can then be done more rapidly. 

 The bunches are thrown into a tank of water and 

 washed; a brush is used if necessary. When the vege- 

 tables are not too much soiled, the use of the hose may 

 be sufficient. Bunches of vegetables, like asparagus, cel- 

 ery and rhubarb, are often placed on end in washing 

 tanks and water applied with considerable force from 

 the hose, but scrubbing is also necessary sometimes. 



Certain vegetables require trimming, stemming or 

 shelling before packing. 



226. Packages. — Many factors must be considered 

 when selecting packages: (i) The most advantageous 

 size must be determined. This is an age of small pack- 

 ages, which are gaining in popularity among both vege- 

 table growers and vegetable buyers. As a rule, produce 

 sustains less injury in transportation when in small pack- 

 ages, and the vegetables are always more attractive and 

 more convenient to handle. This last fact is especially im- 

 portant from the consumers' standpoint. Any child can 

 carry home with ease and delight the packed 2 or 4-quart 

 basket represented in Figure 45, b. Although bushel 

 baskets, (Figure 46, b and c) are used in some sections, 

 they are too large for most purposes. 



