126 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 



The following varieties were tested in 1896. They are chiefly from English and 

 French seedsmen : — 



Carter^s Solid Ivory. — Short and stocky ; considerably rusted ; well blanched ; 

 rather bitter ; flavour not as good as Standard Bearer. 



Carter's Incomparable Crimson. — Tall; late; red; free from rust; blanches 

 moderately well ; crisp and of good quality. 



De Candolle. — White ; medium grower, but late ; fairly solid ; very nutty and 

 good flavour. 



Evan's New Triumph. — Dwarf variety ; free from rust ; stalks stout ; lacks 

 crispness and flavour. 



New Perle Le Grand. — Tall ; strong ; white : rather coarse ; watery ; somewhat 

 lacking in flavour. 



Perle Le Grand. — -About the same as New Perle Le Grand, but rather smaller 

 stalks ; quality, medium to poor. 



Rennie's Giant White. — Medium grower ; rather uneven ; fair sized stalks ; 

 quality fair, solid, but not high flavoured. 



Standard Bearer. — Red, large, coarse stalks ; fairly well blanched ; brittle, very 

 tender ; good quality ; late. 



Vauglian's Giant Golden Dwarf. — Large ; not self -blanching ; fair size, but of 

 poor quality. 



White Triumph. — Medium grower; fair sized stalks; some rust; firm, brittle, 

 good quality, nutty. 



Growing Celery in "Spent" Hot-beds vs. Cold Frames. 



After growing the annual supply of cabbage, cauliflowers and tomato plants, the 

 farmer's hot-bed usually stands idle till the next season comes round. It is true that 

 its phases of usefulness during this period are not numerous but there is at least one 

 purpose which it will serve with great satisfaction to the housewife, viz. : the growing 

 of a supply of celery for winter use. This may be done without removing the manure, 

 by adding an inch or two of soil to the surface — setting the plants 7x7 inches apart 

 and watering frequently during the fore part of the season. Of course the bed of 

 manure beneath the covering of soil facilitates drainage so much that the plants require 

 close watching at first in order to prevent injury from drying out. If the manure is 

 thoroughly soaked before the plants are set less difficulty will be experienced. I have 

 found that cold frames give better results in growing celery on the bed plan than do 

 hot-beds. 



The following table gives the results of tests of growing celery in cold frame and 

 in hot-bed, both beds being sub-irrigated. The beds were 6 feet wide and 24 feet long. 

 Two lines of three-inch tile were laid three feet apart the full length of the bed and 

 9 inches below the surface. An upturned tile at each end gave opportunity for 

 introducing water which was done once and sometimes twice each week. In growing 

 celery after this intensive method the labour of cultivating and earthing is largely 

 obviated ; but it must be remembered that the drain upon the moisture and fertility of 

 the soil is very great and must be adequately met if healthy and vigorous plants are to 

 be secured. 



It will be seen by the yields set forth in the subjoined table that the gross weight 

 of 16 plants grown in the "cold frame" — that is a frame in which no manure had been 

 used to give bottom heat — was greater in almost every instance than 18 plants of the 

 same variety grown in the hot-bed. With regard to quality there was little to choose. 

 This result is probably due to the fact that the conditions of moisture in the cold frame 



