282 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



should have most of their roots attached, and a bed of moist sand in 

 which to set them should be provided. 



Preparing Celery for Market. In preparing it from the rows 

 where grown, it is not necessary to remove the entire root from the 

 earth, but it may be cut off just below the surface of the soil by means 

 of a stiff knife. Remove the outside leaves and trim the root evenly, 

 pack in boxes, and load on the wagon for removal to the washing 

 house. The blanching boards should not be removed till necessary, 

 and the trimmed celery must not be allowed to lie exposed to the sun 

 or wind for any length of time. It is well also to have a piece of 

 canvas to protect the celery while it is on the wagon on the way to 

 the washing house. In marketing from the trenches the process is 

 practically the same as from the rows, except that the celery is 

 already loosened from the soil and the roots can be removed more 

 easily. Upon reaching the washing room the celery is placed upon 

 a rack consisting of wooden slats over a large trough and subjected 

 to a spray of cold v/ater to cool it and to remove the adhering soil. 

 After washing, it is allowed to drain ; then it is tied in bunches of 12 

 or more plants each, according to the size. The bunches are packed 

 6 in a box for first-grade celery and 8 or 9 for second or third grades. 

 These boxes should be practically air-tight, and a lining of paper 

 should be placed in them before packing the celery, or each bunch 

 should be wrapped separately. The celery should be nearly dry 

 before it is placed in the boxes, and throughout the entire handling 

 must be kept as cool as possible. 



Sanitary Conditions. It is essential that the celery should be 

 washed in pure water to prevent the transmission of disease germs. 

 Any germ, such as that producing typhoid fever, which is found in 

 contaminated water, is readily carried to the digestive system of the 

 consumer, and may or may not produce an attack of the disease, 

 according to the strength of the person to resist it. The washhouse 

 and its surroundings should be kept clean and free from any decom- 

 posing materials. Shippers and dealers alike lose sight of the fact 

 that the edible portion of celery is constantly being exposed to the 

 contaminating effects of dirty wagons, unclean cars, and dusty 

 markets. Many persons have discontinued the use of celery on 

 account of the unclean condition in which it is served. This state- 

 ment holds good for all vegetables that are served in the raw state, 

 but it is especially applicable to celery. 



Estimates of Returns. Anyone contemplating making a start 

 in celery growing will do well to first investigate the market pros- 

 pects, and unless satisfactory shipping arrangements can be made 

 beforehand the crop should be planted only on a small scale for one 

 or two years, until a local trade can be established. It is fair to 

 estimate a return of 1,500 dozen from 1 acre, and this should bring 

 25 cents per dozen, at the lowest average estimate; this will yield a 

 gross income of $375 to the acre, leaving a net balance of $125 to 

 cover the interest on the investment and the profit. As a matter of 

 fact, the growers who are making a success of celery raising and 

 many are doing so receive a net profit of $100 an acre over and 



