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WINTER MENmG.
We use a windmill, tank and piping, applying the water directly
to the plants through a garden hose. This is a job the boys de-
light in doing.
In preparing for market, a sharp stiff knife is used for cutting.
The plant is stripped down to the edible portion and the butt end
neatly trimmed. It is then tied in one fourth dozen bunches and
washed. As all our celery is disposed of in the local market no
boxing is necessary.
When storing the celery, the outer stalks are stripped off and
the longer leaves trimmed in somewhat. It is then packed closely
in pits, which are made by making a frame of ten inch boards
fifty inches wide and sixteen feet long with two cross pieces. This
is placed on level ground and the dirt within removed to a depth
of eight inches and banked about the outside. After the pit is
filled, water is run to a depth of four or five inches to thoroughly
moisten the roots and prevent wilting. A double covering of
boards is then placed over the pits. This will keep out consid-
erable frost and if an extra covering of coarse litter is given, celery
may be safely kept here until well after Thanksgiving. In our
section it is not considered safe in the ground after the twentieth
of October. In cellar storage the plants are not packed so closely,
some earth being placed about the roots when setting down.
As to varieties, we use mostly the self-blanching. For the gen-
eral market we still prefer a good strain of White Plume to any
of the various sorts of that variety. Golden Self Blanching is
much superior in quality to White Plume but is of slower growth
and more susceptible to blight and rust. It also requires a
richer soil. For keeping qualities the green celeries excel.
Evans Triumph Giant Pascal, Winter Queen, Noll's Magnificent
are all good varieties. The green celeries require hilling with
earth to blanch properly.
MY EXPERIENCE IN RAISING MUSK MELONS.
Wm. NELSON, Oshkosh.
I have had about 14 years experience in raising musk-melons,
raising about 6 acres each year. I have tried several varieties,
but have dropped all except the Emerald Gem, Osage and Honey
Dew, as I raise them only for home market.
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