6o THE BOOK OF MARKET GARDENING 



results. The special requirements of particular crops 

 must be referred to under Fruit, Vegetables, and Flowers, 

 but there are some general rules which apply in all cases. 

 The first of these is that all practicable care should be 

 exercised in the work, without going to any fantastic 

 extremes which would increase the cost out of pro- 

 portion to the benefit gained. It would seem almost 

 needless to make a rule of such an obvious requisite, yet 

 we have seen some most grievous and disastrous 



mistakes made in 

 the matter, and it is 

 evident also from 

 the condition in 

 which many con- 

 signments reach the 

 markets that similar 

 errors are more fre- 



Sussex Truck Basket. (Osman & Co.) 4 Uent than the Y 



should be. 



Not only should garden produce be in its best state 

 as regards the period of development, but the freshness, 

 cleanly condition, and care in handling demand due 

 attention. With all vegetables and the softer fruits, 

 freshness is an essential of the greatest importance ; if it 

 is considered what a long and trying ordeal they have 

 to be subjected to in conveyance by road and rail, and 

 in the markets or shops, before they arrive at the con- 

 sumer's house, this would never be ignored. The best 

 grown produce in a stale and flaccid state, in contrast 

 with second-rate crops in a fresh and bright condition, is 

 placed at a serious disadvantage, and the majority of 

 purchasers will take the latter in preference. We have 

 seen large and valuable consignments sold to hawkers 

 at the lowest prices entirely on account of stale condition 

 when they reached the markets. Of course in some of 

 these instances the fault rests with the railway 



