A ""> •-?.?.* G* *o> --yf. %••■• v^*.•■..V■■'V•••• ■J ^p "V ^^ »oCO V'^l' v^ ^O ■^ ^^0^ "oV ■' v^ 'if.' .4 o^ -^ "^ ./ ... ^^- '- .<^ ..„ -^r. '" O^ ^"' ■M/K' \^ .*' / / for EARLIER SHIPMENT, /v. W V' '^ vJ^ ^^ Celerv as a rule is CELERY BUNCH. WUCU v_ , . ^,,^ lon-er than that bleached in the beds for winter use we cut the lumber thirty inches long for all the boxes^_and^^^^-nt quantities, make them according to ' the following table : 7 in. deep, i8 in. wide, 30 in. long holii- ■- dozen. 7 in. deep, 22 in. ivide, 30 m. long holds 10 dozen. 12 in. deep, 16 in wide, 20 in. long holds i^ dozen. . , , 1 . ,„ 14 in. deep, 20 in. wide, 30 m. long nolds 20 dozen. In making boxes for the WINTER CROP, a reduction of two inches in width and depth should be made andl the lumber be cut from twenty-four' to twenty-eight inches in length, for — 28 - the average size Celery grown here. Boxes should be made in advance of season for this purpose, be neatly stenciled with a private brand and be ready for use when the busy shipping season is at hand. WINTER STORAGE AND BLEACHING. However thoroughly we understand the process thus far des- cribed and though throvigh good management we may have a splendid crop, yet right here we win or lose it. It is the most im- portant point of our enterprise. As a rule from one-fourth to one- third of all the Celery grown is annually lost by improper manage- ment in storing, — a loss which can be largely reduced if not entirely overcome. We take especial interest in offering to growers a detailed account of the most successful method with which we are acquainted, a method never before published and one we believe not practiced outside a few Celery districts. Experienced, practical growers in this section, who have passed through all the experi- mental stages in learning to grow and store this vegetable, have re- nounced the trench system for winter quarters and have adopted the following plan, believing it much superior for winter bleaching and preservation. Since decay follows closely on thorough bleaching, the whole crop should not be fully banked before putting away. It is a good plan to completely bank about one-third of the field, two or three weeks before storing, to hill to about half its height another third, and to merely straighten up the last third with the push scraper about ten days before the final storing away in the beds. This gives a succession of bleached Celery in average winters if properly preserved, from Thanksgiving time until April, when it commands a higher price than the early yields. The highest economy in our plan demands that the storage beds be located in the field where the crop is grown thus saving time, labor and cartage. Since a bed will contain the plants from a large number of rows, a place central to the exact number of rows that will fill it should be selected, that the plants may be carried to it from each side ; for instance, if a bed will hold twenty rows, which it will if made two-thirds the length of the growing rows, we would count from the side of the field ten rows inward and here start our bed. This is as central as can be, and the ten rows each — 29 — way are tributary to it. We dig up the starting row and lay the plants to one side out of our way. Now with the plow we throw up a high back- furrow, then with the spade cut down one sloping side of this bank straight to the bottom of the y furrow, throwing the loose dirt out on the land < side. This leaves a straight walled bank with its ^ base at the bottom of the furrow. Now with the " stalks laid conveniently to his hand by the gatherers, who strip off the outer stems and loose leaves, the workman kneeling, grasps two of them and stands them together upright against the wall of the bed ; against these, two more are set and so on, always two thick and close together. When setting, he scrapes in a little of the dirt to prevent falling of the stalks. Another workman follows with a spade and banks this standing double row to its top, as is done in the field when bleaching in the Fall. This digging up of the soil for the bank- o ing of each row leaves a furrow of the same width [;; and depth as the first one made with the plow. The "o new bank is now cut down the same as before,which leaves another wall like the first, against which we repeat our former operations. So we proceed until three double rows are put in on one side, then we repeat the work on the other side making when completed a bed of six double rows of Celery Q- with a wall of eight to ten inches of dirt between H the rows. The height of our bed will be nearly ^ that of the stalks and its length two-thirds that of § the growing rows. The last banks and ends are y left sloping, and are then smoothly finished with % the spade, the tips of the leaves just showing above o the top surface of the bed. Other beds are built ^ through the field parallel to the first, with rows a counted each way as before until all are put ? away. The Celery now in contact with the sou on all sides soon strikes root and is in the best possible condition for preservation and bleaching providing some after precautions are taken. T.eave the beds in this * — 30 — way until hard freezing sets in, when, being easily reached from both sides, a layer of two or three inches of dirt is thrown over thei- tops. This covering is allowed to freeze so solid that it will bear up a man walking over it. When settled severe weather sets in, litter which has been conveniently placed alongside in season, is scattered over the tops, sides and ends of the beds and is increased in quantity as colder weather demands. Never put on heavy covering at once as the warm soil in the beds would draw out the frost from the frozen crust, heat the beds and cause rot. If this crust can be kept frozen until the stock is taken out, it will be of advantage. More Celery is lost by heating and over-bleaching than by freezing The novice is always apt to "tuck things up " at the first approach of slight freezing, which cannot injure Celery stored in this manner. We mean by severe freezing weather, a temperature of 15° above zero which continues to fall until zero or below is reached The covering of litter is needed in the beginning of such a cold spell and should be increased in thickness as judgment determines the frost IS going deeper into the beds. Herein lies the only secret of keep- ing Celery successfully throughout average winters. Stock intended tor use by Thanksgiving time needs no covering of litter and in most seasons no covering of soil. Do not be alarmed if the tips of the leaves are frozen since they come off with the trimming of the outer longest stems when they are prepared for market, and these beds a few inches from their outer surfaces are warmer than imagined. There are modifications to the above plan practiced by certain planters, but we believe them open to objections. r,„tead of start- END VIEW OF STORAGE BED inga bed with a back-furrow as in our plan, a growing row which bas been banked to its top is allowed to stand and its sides are cut down, but It makes bad work when the Celery is taken out on a — 31 — ■cold day in winter, since this row is so firmlj- rooted, it must be dug instead of lifted in handfuls as is the case in stored rows. vSonie growers contend that wide beds of six rows heat in their centers in a mild winter and therefore, make them of three or four rows. We see no difference in their keeping. Such winters are unfavorable to the best preservation of this crop in any kind of bed, shed or trench, and some loss is inevitable unless stored with the most careful attention to ventilation and light covering. Since loss in a mild season is a contingency to be counted on and these narrow beds are wasteful of covering, we hold to our original number of rows. Others deem it economical to place triple instead of double rows in the two outside banks of a bed, since heating is not probable in this most exposed position, but in such thick rows all of the plants can not come in contact with the soil and imperfect bleach- ing is the result. To open these beds, take the litter off one end and if all has gone well, the frozen crust can be broken with a pickaxe or spade into large flakes, exposing the tops of the Celery almost as green and fresh as when put away. vShoveling away the loose bank, the stalks are easily lifted out in handfuls and carted to the bunching room. Care must always be taken to throw back the soil and litter on the broken end of the bed after taking out the day's supply, The above plan excels the old trench system, in that, perfectly green Celery can be bleached in these beds equally as well as in the rows banked in fall in the fields, only requiring a little more time. In a trench, perfectly green Celery never bleaches well. They answer for temporary storage of Celery already bleached, or for a few stalks saved for seed purposes which one wishes to keep as green as possible all winter ; but they are not economical of labor, are infested with mice in winter and, in wet soils, the Celery is frequently ruined by standing water. In the vSpring these l^eds are easilj- leveled with the spade and harrow, and the litter scattered on all sides, and will make the most fertile spots in the field for succeeding crops. There is another fair plan which answers well for holding Ijleached Celery for sales in early winter, and merits description for those who aim to make sale of their entire crop by January i. It is the shed, or, as termed by the Kalamazoo growers, the "Coop" system. There are two methods for these according to the amount of Celery grown. For one made on the largest scale an excavation is made fourteen feet wide, twenty inches deep and as long as is needed. Posts about four inches in diameter are set every four or five feet through the length of this pit close to its sides, these are for the walls and should be boarded up on both sides of the posts which leaves a hollow space to be filled with leaves or sawdust, or what is better yet, the inside of the inner boarding can be lined with tarred paper. vScantling are nailed on the tops of the posts as a plate upon . which to rest the rafters which o should be cut nine feet long. The g roof should be made of good S boards, covered with sheathing fc paper and then shingled, having o spaces left for a few sashes to give - light and ventilation in mild o weather. For regular ventilation § have wooden chimneys ten inches tn square every fourteen feet with covers for extreme cold weather. The ends should be boarded, papered and sided, with a window in the rear and a door and window in front ; when very cold, shutters can be used to cover all the windows. In the center of the shed two parallel rows of boards about eighteen inches wide are set up on their sides and are nailed to posts, making an alley twenty inches wide running lengthwise of the shed ; on the inner sides of these boards and on the walls of the shed, cleats should be nailed every teen inches that boards may be slipped in to separate the Celery so that it may not be massed in too great bulk and also to keep it upright. Just before putting in the Celery, spade up the ground that the roots may readily take hold of and receive moisture from the loosened earth. Set the roots fairly on the ground and slip in the boards every eighteen inches until the shed is filled. If the Celery shows no signs of wilting, do not wet it as this is bad for any plants packed en masse ; if moisture must be supplied, sprinkle the soil before putting in the Celery. In mild weather these sheds should be aired, the chimneys can remain open nearly all the time except in the coldest weather ; if kept too warm, the leaves turn yellow and the plants are in danger of rotting. The second plan for shed storing is a modification of the above, is cheaper built and is used for storing lesser quautities> A long txench-like pit is dug two feet deep, four feet wide and as long as PIT STORAGE. needed. There are no board walls and the rafters are dug into the tops of the side banks three feet apart and are nailed with ten-penny nails to a ridge-board making a secure framework on which to rest the boards for the roof, three of which twelve inches wide put on at right angles f o the rafters, make one side of the roof. This is sub- stantial enough to bear up a covering of six inches of sod or soil. Additional protection can be given later when colder weather sets in by spreading on litter. The boarded ends should be made secure by lining with sheathing paper and siding, and at one end should be a good door. Proper provision must also be made for light, ventila- tion and drainage from the lower end of the path, which is made as in the first shed by the setting up of parallel boards, only m this, they are but twelve inches apart, giving just space enough in which to stand when placing the Celery in the spaces between the boards — 34 — and the dirt sides of the pit. The path should be dug out one foot deeper than the floor of the pit which, with the headroom at the peak, will allow passage by slight stooping. In this there are but two divisions of eighteen inches for the Celery, but in these sheds the rows run lengthwise instead of across as in the others. This latter plan is a ver}' cheap one, since the gardener can use his boards which have done service in the field for bleaching for the roof and the sides of the inside alley, requiring as new material, only scant- ling for rafters and lumber for the ends of the shed. The low roof can easily be taken down and apart each season, the pit be filled and the space turned again to field purposes. Such a pit can be easily made in a side hill, which requires but little lumber for the back end, other arrangements being made as previously described. There is a half-trench system, a modification and improvement on the old-fashioned trench, which does good service for storing small quantities of Celery and for stock to be kept over until May for seed raising. A dry spot in the garden is selected and in it a trench is dug two-thirds as deep as the Celery is high, the dirt 1''' IMPROVED TRENCH STORAGE, thrown out on either side, being used to further bank the Celery to its top, using care at first not to press the plants too closely together. Later this is covered with boards and litter,or litter alone after throwing an inch or two of dirt lightly over the tops. Before the dirt is thrown on, close the Celery a little tighter together than before, and before the litter is spread, allow this little dirt-covering to thoroughly freeze. — 35 — It is often conveuient to store temporarily in the field that portion of the crop which can be sold prior to severe weather, which may be expeilitioiisly done by standing two parallel rows of boards twelve inches apart centrally between two growing rows and filling the space between with the stalks placed upright, nsing the soil from the ridges on both sides to bank up to the tops of the boards, which are then lifted out and by a light covering of litter given to the rows, they are left sufficiently protected against moderate freezing and are easy to get out as needed for late fall sales. For family use alone (which means small quantities) a cellar KEPT coor^ is a good place for storage. Narrow boxes deeper than the Celery is high are used, in the bottoms of which at first is dry sand, enough to completely surround the fibres of the plants. Later the roots only are well watered and kept moist through the winter. Small holes near the bottoms of the boxes are bored for escape of excess of water, since Celery plants must not stand in saturated soil. SHIPPING TRADE. Bunched Celery when put up from sound stock and properly packed can be sent long distances and yet retain freshness for several days after it has been received at its destination. This facility of shipment has already made it an important article of domestic commerce and the quantity mentioned in another place as being distributed from one important point, partially indicates the great demand which exists in many parts of the country. To supply this demand many produce dealers find the handling of this item an important department of their business, several firms in I this city [Chicago] shipping from five to eight thousand dozen weekly in the busy season. This is delivered to them directly from the growers at a fixed price instead of on consignment, the dealers in such cases of course selling it at prices something in advance of ordinary commission charges. This arrangement has proved to be the most satisfactorj'. For those outside of large cities we favor dealing directly with the retailer or consumer, as consignments made to commission men sometimes yield but little profit. Our experience has given us cause for grudge against certain commission dealers who rapaciously take stock, boxes and all, and modestly send in a bill for transportation, yet we are too fair to make sweeping charges against the whole -36- class which contains many honest aud reliable men. If you are at a railroad point,secure the addresses ofall grocers, fish and oyster dealers hotel and restaurant people at every town along your line and its connections, within reasonable shipping distance and mail to each a circular describing quality and prices of your stock, with a promise of prompt and regular delivery of standing orders. Express com- panies will generally co-operate with enterprising growers by offer- ing lowest rates for transportation aud other advantages which will enable them to compete with shippers from more remote points, that they may successfully control the trade nearer home. It will be recognized by all. that best stock, neat packages, an attractive brand aud prompt shipments to those depending upon regular sup- plies, make and hold trade. If starting in a small way, secure your own town and two or three others near at hand ; later as your stock and facilities increase, extend your borders, even to remote sections if possible. Addresses are easily secured from directories, or local express agents who cheerfully furnish them to those who propose shipping over their lines, or are engaging in business enterprises that involve the workings of the whole country. Commercial agencies furnish lists of all branches of trade and information as to responsibility and credit. The season of trade lasts from August to April, being most active as before stated, during the holidays and the best prices are obtained for the earliest and latest stocks, though the demand for the former is much less than for the latter. The most regular and steady demand commences after the holidays and continues as long as stock can be kept. FOR SOUTHERN GROWERS. Everything so far written for this Manual, has been with refer- ence to the Northern Section, so far as dates of operations and certain local practices are concerned, but lying outside of the details of cultivation and storage which are equally adapted to all sections are some special points which re- quire separate mention for the different conditions of the South, as regards climate and length of season. In that section they now buy nearly all their stock of winter Celery from the North, which arrives none the better for the long journey, and its cost largely increased by high transportation charges. This condition ^"3/ — exists because of iinfortuuate results from usiug our time of planting when the season with them is so hot and dry. Failure is sure to follow from June and July plantings, j-et we know as good crops can be grown in the extreme South and especially in the Atlantic coast territory from North Carolina to Florida as are grown in the North. We have seen there, soils of similar formation to those of our own where Celery thrives best, not the only requirement to be sure, but in a late trip through different portions of the South, we have seen a few instances of success where right seasons of planting and proper intelligent methods have been used. These we will en- deavor to outline. The Celery crop requires from three to three and one-half mouths of growth before storage. Our advice would be to plant September i to 15 when the drouthy and hot period has passed ; from that time to December i to 25 there will be sufficient time in which to mature the crop, with similar weather to ours in October and the early part of November. This question of planting and temperature during growth has been the obstacle preventing wider culture in that section. Our suggestion as to time w^ould bring the harvest close to the holidays when the greatest demand begins, and enterprising growers would reap large benefits from having fresh stock at hand for local demand which w'ould more than compete with shipped-in lots loaded with costly express charges. The same ground on which tomatoes and sweet potatoes have been grown can be used for the September planting of Celery and even in the case of a late crop of sweet potatoes left undug, the vines can be lifted upon the ridges out of the way, and the plants set between, just as we do in our system of double-cropping. This involves the purchase of plants from Northern sections, since as we have already stated, at the season of the year to produce plants ready to set in Septem- ber, the arid temperature and burning soil defeat the purpose. Our Southern friends, however, can well afford this interchange, as their surplus product could be marketed in Northern cities in February and ]March just when our supply is waning and the prices are highest. Winter storage is a matter of small expense at the South, the temporary plan for storing between the ridges explained elsewhere, answering well for storing for a short season, but as a more perma- nent plan we recommend a modification of our bed system for this purpose. - 3S - Take one of the growing rows for a starting point, cnt down its banks, store two rows each side of this ridge, making five rows when finished. In localities like Charleston and Savannah rarely more is required than a covering of soil, in still warmer sections, the rows completely banked to their tops will stand safely until used. This is no theoretical plan, but a working one. Try it and in a few years we prophesy, the southland will be dotted with Celery gardens and another industry will be added to the growing list of that delightful portion of our country. PROFITS. It is not fitting that we should conclude this subject without reference to this important part of our whole enterprise and the object of all our labors ; but we will at the outset, promise avoidance of delusive figuring and present only a conservative statement of the income generalh' derived from this crop when grown on a large scale. The beginner only, and not the experienced grower would take the highest number of plants which may be raised on an acre and estimate his gross receipts by multiplying by the maximum price at which it has been sold, neither would a mathematically correct table of the number of plants per acre, at given distances apart, accurately represent the number grown, as there are always some misses, and a portion of the plants under average culture, sometimes are too small to be salable at standard prices ; therefore we will consider as the basis of our computation, 28,000 plants per acre for a single crop, and the mean wholesale price at which it has been sold in this market for the past three years, viz : twenty-five cents per dozen. We are confident that actual results will confirm this basis. If there will be any variation, we prefer it to show on the favorable side of our account : ACCOt'NT WITH PLOT OF ONE ACRE, SINGLE AND DOUBLE CROP. Am't Dr. Am't Cr. 2,300 Dozen Celery at 25 cents per dozen $575-oo Half year's rent of laud $ 20.00 Half cost of fertilizers 50.00 one-quarter pound of seed i.oo Plowing and cultivating 20.00 Hand labor 225.00 Wear and tear of tools 5 00 Cartage and selling 40 00 $361.00 Net profit per acre, single crop $214.00 2 Net profit per acre, double crop $428.00 — 39 — Practically the profit on the second crop is proportionately greater than when only the first is grown. As will be seen the most expensive item in the foregoing is for hand labor, viz: transplant- ing, hoeing, banking and storing, much of which can be economized when two crops are grown and the first one sold from the held without expense of storing, and it is within bounds to state in round numbers, a net profit per acre from the two crops, of five hundred dollars and proportionately more in interior towns where better prices are always obtained. The grower who owns his land and does lus own work, should also consider the amount allowed for rent of land and hand labor, our figures being based upon experi- ence here, where laud is mostly leased at a high rental and hired labor does the entire manual work of cultivation, etc., the proprietor generally attending to marketing, shipping and general supervision where a number of acres are grown. There are instances where an extra brand is produced and a good reputation is established with special customers, that higher prices are realized ;-numbers ot I growers here in some seasons make eight hundred to one thousand - dollars per acre, -but the estimate we have given is nearer the j average standard of profit, and seem? so satisfactory that culture is I increa.sing and planters are prosperous. I¥e Can Offer Fresh and Reliable Stocks, for the Market Gardener and Carry the following : I*l9t of ^affi@ti©8. Giant Golden Heart, Dwarf Golden Heart, Perfection Heartwell, Crawford's Half Dwarf, Dwarf White Solid, Early Arlington, Boston Market, New Early Market, White Plume, Golden Self-Blanching, Nellis' Self-Blanching, New Ivory Solid, New Rose, Red Giant Solid, Carter's Crimson, Turnip Rooted, Turnip Rooted Apple Shaped, Large Smooth Prague /new). CELERY PLANT LIST READY IN JUNE. \//IH6H/IN'S SeSB §T0Re, 88 STATE AND 146 & 148 W. WASHINGTON ST. CHICAGO. CHICAGO. '^a^ M^ o •^s <^ :iPC^: .•^ c, ° " ' * <^^ ^ o V V ^'^Cui/ > .^ 4' >^ /.... ')'^S J' o ^>^^/ ^0 ^ ^:^^^S