170 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



thieves encountered in transportation. It should also be 

 of such a character that the vegetables will reach the 

 market in the best possible condition so far as freshness 

 and soundness are concerned. 



(4) The package must also be adapted to the size, 

 shape and solidity of each particular crop. (5) It should 

 be convenient to handle. This is one of the reasons why 

 the 2 and 4-quart baskets (Figure 45, b) are so popular 

 with the retail trade. The neat copper bail invites pur- 

 chasers. These baskets are winners, because they are 

 small, neat, attractive and convenient. 



(6) The cost is an element to be considered, but the 

 least expensive packages may be the dearest in the end. 

 A safe policy is to buy the best as cheaply as possible. 



(7) Is the product to be shipped or sold locally? Some 

 dainty packages are excellent for a home trade, but they 

 are not satisfactory for shipping. 



(8) The demands of the market must, to a certain 

 extent, be recognized; that is, if a market has become 

 accustomed to a particular style of package, there are 



' certain advantages in the exclusive use of this particular 

 package. A superior package, however, always attracts 

 attention. 



(9) The nesting, loading and carrying qualities of a 

 package are important considerations. It is a great con- 

 venience to be able to nest a large number of baskets. 

 When loading on the wagon, economy of space is impor- 

 tant, and it gives the driver an easy and comfortable 

 feeling to know that the packages are riding satisfac- 

 torily and that there is no danger of their upsetting or 

 falling off. 



There are so many different types of packages that 

 amateurs are usually perplexed as to what to buy. Bar- 

 rels are used in immense numbers, especially in handling 

 heavy crops like potatoes, sweet potatoes, root crops and 

 squashes, and are also used extensively by southern 



