19 



If the cellar adjoins the stable, a great deal of dampness gets into the 

 cellar from the moisture from the cattle stable. This not only adds 

 moisture to the air of the cellar but also raises the temperature. 



Affected turnips should not be left out on fields to spread the 

 disease to a following season ; but should be gathered and burned, 

 and in the same way the roots in which the rot develops after har- 

 vesting should be burned and not thrown upon the manure heap to 

 infect the manure first and then the field to which the manure is ap- 

 plied. 



The harvesting of the root crop should be delayed as late as 

 possible in order to allow the crop to become thoroughly ripened. 

 After pulling, the roots .should be allowed to dry off before being 

 stored. 



A ROT OF STORED CELERY. 



Celery may be dug in the fall and stored in a cellar to be used 

 during winter and spring. It is usual to pack it closely, with the 

 roots in soil which is kept moist. With right conditions of moisture 

 and temperature the celery keeps well until spring, but, if the soil is 

 wet, and the temperature varies, and, especially, if the celery freezes 

 and thaws, it will decay. 



Decay follows close upon death. The bacteria and moulds are 

 its active agents. They are always present in the soil in which the 

 celery grows, and in the soil in which the roots are packed, and there 

 are no practicable means by which they can be kept away from the 

 p^ant ; neither can they be killed without killing the plant. It re- 

 mains then to keep the celery alive and in health so that it can resist 

 the invasion of the bacteria. A constant temperature, a little above 

 freezing, keeps the celery alive without growing, and keeps the bac- 

 teria in check, for they also become dormant at low temperatures, 

 and increases slowly, or not at all. If the celery freezes it becomes so 

 much dead matter without resistance, fit food for bacteria, and, as 

 soon as the temperature rises, the celery rots. 



This was observed in some celery stored in the cellar of the 

 Horticultural department of the Ontario Agricultural College during 

 the winter of 1903-4. The celery tops showed signs of having been 

 frozen, but, as the temperature continued low, it remained sound 

 within, the outer leaves and stalks only showing signs of decay. On 

 staining the decayed tissue, bacteria were found in large numbers, 

 and, on making plates from the inner parts of the decayed stems, 



