METHODS OF PACKING 113 



unless they are conveyed by road, when they can often 

 be loaded direct into the waggons. The bunches of 

 salading are packed in large baskets or light boxes, but 

 the former are chiefly used either without or with lids. 



Leeks are almost invariably bunched for market, and 

 when extra fine, long, even, and well blanched, they 

 have an admirable appearance for shop display. The 

 size of the bunch or bundle varies greatly according to 

 the demand of the market to which they are consigned. 

 A few of the best quality may be tied together, or of a 

 second grade larger bunches, including a dozen or more, 

 are formed, somewhat on the style of the large Carrot 

 bunch, i.e. flat with the base slightly spreading, soft 

 willows being used for the tying. 



All the finest Celery heads or " sticks " are made up 

 into bundles for market, though they are rarely retailed 

 in that manner except for large establishments. From 

 eight to sixteen or twenty "sticks "may be sold in a 

 bundle, the finest in single layers, and the more 

 moderate size in double layers, making a flat even 

 arrangement, the root ends close together, and the top 

 slightly spreading. Stout willows or osiers are used 

 for securing these bundles, generally one band near the 

 base and another about three parts of the length nearer 

 the top. The heads should have all been trimmed and 

 cleansed first, and are placed in the bundle, so that the 

 flat side is outermost, as the solidity and " heart " of the 

 " stick " can then be partly seen. 



Asparagus of all grades is sold in bundles, generally of 

 loo stems, but sometimes in 50 or 25, as half or quarter 

 bundles. In the Evesham Asparagus district small 

 bundles of 20 stems each are first tied with Raffia, 

 being placed in a small cradle-like frame so that the 

 heads are all quite even ; then 6 of these primary bundles 

 are tied into a large flat one by a single willow band ; 

 thus 4 small bundles constitutes the centre or founda- 

 h 



