1 68 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
in water for a few moments before packing for local 
markets. Thorough washing is generally regarded as 
necessary for celery, lettuce, asparagus and all of the 
root crops, and considered an advantage under certain 
conditions for many other crops. Whatever the vege- 
table, it must be clean to make a favorable impression 
on the buyer, although it is not always advisable to use 
water freely. Tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, musk- 
melons, squashes, peppers and eggplants can usually be 
wiped with a damp cloth to secure the required cleanli- 
ness. 
Vegetables which are bunched may be washed before 
tying, but the most common practice is to wash after 
tying, because the work can then be done more rapidly. 
Mechanical tyers operated by foot-pedal or electric mo- 
tor are used by some growers. The bunches are thrown 
into a tank of water and washed ; a brush is used if nec- 
essary. Electric vegetable washers aie quite satisfac- 
tory though their high initial cost has prevented exten- 
sive use. When the vegetables are not too much soiled, 
the use of the hose may be sufficient. 
Certain vegetables require trimming, stemming or 
shelling before packing. 
226. Packages. — Many factors must be considered 
when selecting packages: (1) The most advantageous 
size must be determined. This is an age of small pack- 
ages, which are gaining in popularity among both vege- 
table growers and vegetable buyers. As a rule, produce 
sustains less injury in transportation when in small pack- 
ages, and the vegetables are always more attractive and 
more convenient to handle. This last fact is especially im- 
portant from the consumers’ standpoint. Any child can 
carry home with ease and delight the packed 2 or 4-quart 
basket represented in Figure 45, b. Although bushel 
baskets, (Figure 46, b and c) are used in some sections, 
they are too large for most purposes. 
