CHAPTER V. 



HANDLING THE CROP. 



Time of Maturing. — This of course will depend on 

 the temperature maintained, also on the variety. The 

 Victoria will require more time than the earlier sorts 

 previously mentioned. From three to eight weeks will 

 be required to mature the first picking, and the season 

 will continue from three to four weeks or even longer; 

 depending on the vigor of the roots and also the degree 

 of heat used. 



Usually 12 to 14 inches high is good height for 

 picking; but even less height is often admissible ow- 

 ing to size and development. Where the product is 

 sold by the pound regardless of height or size there is 

 no objection to letting it remain until fully grown, un- 

 less a declining market should necessitate haste in gath- 

 ering. Here at Detroit essentially the birthplace and 

 home of the industry, all transactions are reckoned by 

 the dozen. When thus sold, self interest at least, would 

 dictate selling as rapidly as reasonable height was at- 

 tained, and thus husband the vitality of the roots for 

 the remainder of the crop. However it must not be left 

 too long under any circumstances, as the stalks grow 

 spongy after a time, and falling down, become worthless. 

 Experience will soon enable any one to properly judge 

 of these matters. 



Gathering the Crop. — This may seem a trivial point ; 



