94 THE BOOK OF MARKET GARDENING 



difficult here to induce those concerned to study the 

 utilitarian side alone, namely, the due protection of 

 their goods. 



An ideal packing material should possess some 

 measure of elasticity, otherwise it is liable to be a 

 source of trouble rather than an advantage. If there be 

 a shrinkage after the package is completed the space left 

 allows a movement of the contents which almost 

 invariably results in some degrees of injury. It must 

 be entirely free from any strong odour, or fruits 

 especially are unfavourably affected ; for the same 

 reason it should not be of a very perishable nature, as if 

 decay commences quickly, even in an incipient degree, 

 an enclosed package is rendered offensive. Substances 

 that are either unduly dry and absorbent, or too 

 retentive of moisture, should be avoided, as well as 

 fancy products at excessive prices. Efficiency with 

 reasonable economy must be the rule in this as in all 

 other operations of the commercial gardener. 



Nothing at present available comes so near the ideal 

 as the best forms of " wood-wool," as the extremely 

 fine wood-shavings are termed, the production of which 

 has become quite an industry by the aid of improved 

 machinery and methods. This is obtainable in many 

 different degrees of fineness and quality, and at varying 

 prices, but some manufacturers have made great progress 

 in recent years, providing more suitable wood and 

 turning out a much better article than was the case a 

 few years ago. At first it was thought wood-wool 

 would never be of much real use in the horticultural 

 world, owing to the strong resinous smell it possessed 

 for one thing, and its coarseness for another ; but 

 though these objections still apply to some of the 

 common grades, they have been effectually removed 

 from all the best brands. 



At one large manufactory in the east of London 



