Table 14.--Major retailers' proportionate purchases of celery, whole
 stalks versus hearts, by market area

 Market Area Whole Stalks Hearts Totals

 -------Percenta----

 Philadelphia 82 18 100

 Boston 58 42 100

 Detroit 82 18 100

 percentages are based on an overall, weighted average volume reported
 by all firms within cities.


 Small wholesalers in all three cities were found to purchase

whole-stalk celery almost exclusively, but larger wholesalers and

full-service wholesalers handled from one to 15 percent hearts.

 Celery hearts were found to constitute a substantial volume

at the retail level, particularly in Boston. Accurate data were

not available as to the proportion of hearts supplied by repackers

in each of the market areas, but the quantity is quite large. Repackers

were apparently using Florida whole-stalk celery to make hearts. Most

hearts prepared by repackers were found to be about 10 inches long and

packaged in a cardboard tray inside a poly bag or simply in poly bags.

California hearts that were seen in the markets were substantially

shorter, usually about 8 1/2 inches long. Several firms complained

that Florida hearts did not hold up as well because of excessive leaves.

They suggested that shortening them to the California length would alle-

viate the problem.