170 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
thieves encountered in transportation. It should also be 
of such a character that the vegetables will reach the 
market in the best possible condition so far as freshness 
and soundness are concerned. 
(4) The package must also be adapted to the size, 
shape and solidity of each particular crop. (5) It should 
be convenient to handle. This is one of the reasons why 
the 2 and 4-quart baskets (Figure 45, b) are so popular 
with the retail trade. The neat copper bail invites pur- 
chasers. These baskets are winners, because they are 
small, neat, attractive and convenient. 
(6) The cost is an element to be considered, but the 
least expensive packages may be the dearest in the end. 
A safe policy is to buy the best as cheaply as possible. 
(7) Is the product to be shipped or sold locally? Some 
dainty packages are excellent for a home trade, but they 
are not satisfactory for shipping. 
(8) The demands of the market must, to a certain 
extent, be recognized; that is, if a market has become 
accustomed to a particular style of package, there are 
certain advantages in the exclusive use of this particular 
package. A superior package, however, always attracts 
attention. 
(9) The nesting, loading and carrying qualities of a 
package are important considerations. It is a great con- 
venience to be able to nest a large number of baskets. 
When loading on the wagon, economy of space is impor- 
tant, and it gives the driver an easy and comfortable 
feeling to know that the packages are riding satisfac- 
torily and that there is no danger of their upsetting or 
falling off. 
There are so many different types of packages that 
amateurs are usually perplexed as to what to buy. Bar- 
rels are used in immense numbers, especially in handling 
heavy crops like potatoes, sweet potatoes, root crops and 
squashes, and are also used extensively by southern 
