WINTER MEETING AT CARTHAGE. 171 



€:pring of the varieties 1 wish to propagate from in a separate bed, which I call a 

 seed-bed, and from that I take my plants. I know of no other way to keep pure 

 stock. 



The Michel's Early make more runners and plants than any variety I have. 

 Of its fruiting qualities I am not prepared to speak, as it did not have a fair 

 chance last spring. The Warfield No. 2 is a good all-around berry and a good 

 shipper, but the old (Present for a sure, safe stand-by in summer's heat or winter's 

 oold, spring frosts, rain or drouth, is always reliable for a crop. No other variety 

 has yet been found, so far as I know, that is its equal in all its respects and under 

 all circumstances. 



The Bubach No. 2 is too soft in a wet season to keep in the boxes over night , 

 And is discarded. 



Jessie is a good fertilizer, and on good rich land a good cropper. I also retain 

 as good fertilizers the May King and Sucker State, and find them generally reliable 

 for good crops of fruit ; but Gandy don't bear enough fruit, is of poor flavor, and has 

 hulls so large as to almost cover itself up when in the boxes. 



1 think we are ail inclined to grow too many varieties, and I am certain we 

 plant too many acres for our own good tinancially. If we would plant but half the 

 number of acres, and give better and more thorough work and attention to the 

 business, we should find better financial results for ouf work. 



With best wishes for a successful meeting, [ remain one of the hopeful, 

 LaGrange, Missouri. Wm. H. Thomas. 



NEW ONION CULTURE. 



To those not acquainted with the above term, we will say that the new fea- 

 ture of it is growing the sets from seed sown in February in hot-beds, and when 

 about the size of wheat-straws, they are transplanted to the open ground 4 inches 

 apart, in rows 12 to 15 inches apart. 



The past season's experience has convinced us that it is a success, but the 

 young plants must be set out early, say March, if possible, as the varieties used 

 are mostly the large Spanish and Italian onions, and they are slow maturing. Our 

 test was made with Maule's Prize-taker, or Spanish King. We measured a row 

 36 feet long, being the best in the plat, and it gave us one bushel onions, or about 

 at the rate of 1160 bushels per acre, though the average was, perhaps, one-third 

 less. The originators of this new method claim that 2000 bushels can be grown on 

 a single acre. We believe with extra treatment and a favorable season these 

 results can be obtained. 



We shall make a more extensive trial the coming year with a number of dif- 

 ferent varieties. A. few points not to be overlooked are: First, reliable seed. 

 Then the earlier the plants can be set out in open ground, the larger the yield. 

 The soil should be manured and plowed in the fall, and smoothed down and planted 

 say by the middle of March if possible. These large onions as a rule are poor 

 keepers, and should be marketed as soon as possible, as they will not keep good 

 over winter. 



CliiLlijR jL . 



We have been growing celery, more or less of it, for the past ten years, but 

 owing to numerous obstacles we have never made a success of it financially. Last 

 year with about two acres we were caught by a sudden freeze that froze all the 

 profits out of it. This season we have been more successful — weather favorable — 

 and will make a little money, though we began banking too early, and the waim 

 ■weather in September caused it to rot, and a part of our expectations again were 

 blighted. 



