Grading and Packing 



443 



The uniformity of grading is now much facilitated by 

 the mechanical graders ; and given markets usually demand 

 a particular kind of grade and pack of the hand-sorted 

 products, as melons, celery, rhubarb. A certain number 

 of stalks of asparagus may be required in the bunch, and 

 a certain number of tomatoes in the tray. 



In the grading and the packing, certain admonitions 

 may be stated, having in mind the market-garden type of 

 enterprise : 



1. Pack and sell only the products that are mature, 

 well grown, free from blemish, bruises, insects and disease 

 injury. 



2. See that the vegetables are carefully cleaned, neatly 

 and uniformly arranged or tied, and that they arrive fresh 

 and unwilted. 



3. Choose the package itself with care, to meet the de- 

 mands of the particular market; see that it is clean, bright 

 and unbroken. 



4. Pack snug; see that the receptacle is full, and that 

 all weights and capacities are full measure, and that all 

 bunches are full count. Snug packing is particularly im- 

 portant if the vegetables are to be shipped any consider- 

 able distance. A large part of the vegetables in the mar- 

 kets is handled from ten to fifteen times from the field 

 to the consumer. Vegetables packed tight not only bear 

 transportation better, but they keep longer and present a 

 more attractive appearance. In the better kinds of vege- 

 tables this firm packing is secured by placing each speci- 

 men by hand. 



5. Pack the vegetables cool. They should go into the 

 packages with a low temperature, rather than warm. They 



