Measures
As Measures in use for the sale of garden produce vary so much in different parts of the country, it will be impracticable to refer to them all here in a few general remarks. Baskets for fruit and vegetables are of various sizes and shapes, according to the several purposes for which they are required. The appended list includes most of the different Measures in use for the London markets. Being frequently made of very then deal strips, which are more or less flexible, they vary a little in size. Especially is this the case with punnets, so largely used in London for holding nearly all kinds of fruit and salading, in small quantities, for sale. Grapes are put up in 2lb. and 4lb. punnets; new potatoes in 2lb. punnets. Apples and pears are put up in bushels, sieves, or half-sieves. Weights are always 16oz. to the pound. Bunch. This term is used in speaking of herbs, &c. The size varies according to the season. A bunch of turnips consists of twenty to twenty-five; of carrots, thirty-six to forty; of greens, as many as can be tied together by the roots.
Bundle. A bundle of broccoli, celery, &c., contains six to twenty heads; seakale, twelve to eighteen heads; rhubarb, twenty to thirty stems, according to size; and of asparagus, from 100 to 125.
Bushel Basket. When heaped, a bushel basket ought to contain 1 imperial bushel. Diameter at bottom, 10in.; at top, 14 1/2in.; depth, 17in. Walnuts, nuts, apples, and potatoes are sold by this measure. A bushel of the last-named, cleansed, weighs 56lb., but 4lb. additional is allowed if they are not washed. A junk contains two-thirds of a bushel.
Bushel Sieve. There are 10 1/2 imperial gallons to a bushel sieve. Diameter at top, 17 3/4in.; at bottom, 17in.; depth, 11 1/4in.
Hand. A bunch of radishes, which contains from twelve to thirty, or more, according to the season.