METHODS OF PACKING 115 



are varied according to the season and price. The earliest 

 will contain but few stalks, while the later ones will have 

 two dozen or more, and weigh 6 lb. or over. The 

 size is varied for the convenience of the retailer chiefly, 

 and when the crop has reached its cheapest stage sub- 

 stantial bundles are expected by buyers. The stalks are 

 pulled, not cut, and a large portion of the leaf blade is re- 

 moved, otherwise awkward, heavy, and unsightly bundles 

 are produced. The earliest and most tender stalks are 

 tied with Raffia or soft string at the top and bottom of 

 the bundles, but for the later hardier produce willows 

 are employed. The bundles should be made flat and 

 compact, the stalks being reversed alternately, so that 

 the heads are equally placed. They must be tied firmly 

 and securely, whatever means is adopted, for loose 

 bundles or those which become untied in the course of 

 their removal are practically wasted, as buyers will not be 

 bothered with them. Early rhubarb is packed in hampers 

 or crates, but the later is usually loaded direct into the 

 wagons or other conveyances. 



Young Cabbages, pulled early in the spring, before 

 they have formed hearts, are made up into bunches and 

 sold as greens ; Coleworts (or " Collards," as commonly 

 termed) are treated similarly. The roots are shaken 

 quite clear of soil and secured firmly by means of willow 

 bands just below the first leaves, the number in a 

 bundle being determined by the size of the plants, from 

 6 to 12 being usual. 



Parsley for market sale is generally tied up in large 

 bunches, and Watercress is dealt with in a similar 

 manner, though both are frequently sold by the retailer 

 in a loose state. Watercress is, however, often packed 

 untied in flat hampers, and is made into bunches by the 

 vendor who supplies the consumer. 



Early forced Dwarf Kidney (or French) Beans are 

 frequently tied up in bundles of 50 or loo, being sorted 



