BUNDLING 



35 



to tie six small bundles of a score each, then to lay two 

 of these bundles side by side with tying material under 

 them, to put two others on the top, and one on each 

 side, and then to bring the tying material round and 

 fasten. 



But the newer, and quicker way is to tie the whole 

 bundle at once. To do this two pieces of board 

 should be fixed edgeways upon the table to hold the 

 asparagus in position, in order that the tie may be placed 

 under it. These boards (or the frame as I call it) must 

 have a cut down to the table in which to lay the tying 

 material. Two ties are necessary, as otherwise the 

 bundle would not be made flat as desired. A small one 

 should first be laid down the middle of the board or frame 

 lengthwise as the asparagus lies. Then place across and 

 in the cuts before mentioned the willow which is to go 

 round the bundle. The smaller willow, running the 

 same way as the asparagus, should now be bent and its 

 two ends brought upwards to form a loop below the 

 tying willow. The six score must now be counted and 

 laid straight and neatly in the frame, placing half the 

 number on either side of the two ends of the willow 

 running longways. Now bring the tying willow round 

 between the two ends of the other willow, draw tightly 

 and fasten, still keeping the bundle in the frame, then 

 take the two ends, press the bundle flat, and tie them 

 round the top willows, thus holding the two sides of 

 the bundle together and keeping it flat. Fairly good 

 asparagus eight inches long should weigh three to four 

 pounds a bundle, being an average size for market. 



After the bundles are tied they should have a good 

 swill through clean water before being packed. The 

 best baskets to pack in are common bushel flats with 

 lids, and these hold eight to ten bundles each. The 

 asparagus should be placed with the butts to the end 

 of the baskets, and the crowns towards each other 



