124: MARKET GARDENING. 



change the figures. From some grounds the writer has 

 seen celery plants, each having fifty stalks by actual 

 count. Such vigorous growth takes the lead in the 

 market and fills the purse, but the average celery plant 

 only numbers five to eight stalks. When one has, by 

 long experience, and the use of proper seed, learned to 

 grow such thrifty plants, their relative cost will be 

 small. To prepare a muck field from the rough swamp 

 is sometimes very costly, but on such ground celery 

 grows luxuriantly with a minimum of cultivation, and 

 the markets of the country are most largely supplied 

 from such sources. Plants have been grown for three 

 cents per thousand, and have been set out for fifteen 

 cents, but the average price, if one buys plants, is two 

 to three dollars per thousand, and in other than muck 

 ground the setting out costs as much more. The ama- 

 teur must grow celery one year, at least, to learn how, 

 and to find whether it can be made profitable on his 

 ground and in his market. The work may be done at 

 less expense than the following estimate : 



Interest on $150 @ 10%, $16. Manure, 40 loads @ $2=$80 $95.00 



Plowing, harrowing and marketing, 1 man and team 1 day 3.00 



Planting, 1 man 4 days @ $1.50:=$6; cultivating, 1 man and horse 



3 days @ 2$, $6 T?7 12.00 



Hoeing twice, 1 man 3 days @ $1.50=$4.50; handling or tying, 1 



man 10 days @ $1.M)=$15 19.50 



Banking,! man 15 days @ $1.50=$22.50; trenching, $10; water 



and watering, $6 38.50 



13,000 plants @ $5 $65 ; preparing for market, $40 105.00 



Total cost for on e acre f 273.00 



In preparing for market, the outside green leaves 

 should be removed, leaving none but the blanched or 

 edible part, with its green tops, roots nicely trimmed off 

 and washed. Pack in neat round bunches of twelve 

 stalks each, tied tightly at top and bottom ; or inquire 

 what is most favored in each market, and tie up in the 

 acceptable form ; don't attempt to develop many new 

 ideas. For some distant markets it will pay to wrap 



