76 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



or shipped considerable distances to market, it is important for 

 them to be only partially ripe, depending upon the length of time 

 that will probably intervene before they reach the table of the 

 consumer. 



Tomatoes should always be handled with care in order that 

 there may be no unnecessary bruising. If they are to be 



Fig. 19. — Assortment of parcel post packages. 



marketed, they should be thoroughly cleaned, preferably by 

 wiping with a damp cloth ; their stems removed ; graded ; and 

 packed neatly and artistically in clean, attractive packages. 



Many forms of packages are employed for marketing to- 

 matoes. In most instances it is desirable to use the package 

 preferred by the markets to be supplied. 



Probably the average yield of tomatoes in the United States 

 is less than 100 bushels to the acre, but this is a very small crop 



