212 GARDEN FARMING 



plants for the field. The better the plants which are set in the 

 field the better the chances for a successful crop. The field treat- 

 ment for the disease is the same as that for the seed bed. While 

 the plants are in the seed bed the work can be done with a knap- 

 sack sprayer, but field treatment on an extensive scale cannot be 

 carried on advantageously with this type of implement. One of 

 the modern power sprayers adjusted to deliver a large quantity 

 of mixture in a fine spray with great force will be effective. The 

 disease as a rule attacks the self-blanching types more severely than 

 the green-leafed types. It is more persistent and causes greater 

 damage toward the Southern limits of celery culture than at the 

 North. For this reason treatment both in the seed bed and in 

 the field should be given more attention. 



Celery which has been carelessly handled during the blanching 

 period, whether the blanching is accomplished with boards or with 

 earth, is apt to be attacked by a soft rot known as heart rot, which 

 has an offensive odor. This is most likely to occur during hot, 

 moist, sultry weather, soon after the plants have been banked or 

 boarded. If boards are used, and the weather conditions are favor- 

 able for the development of the disease, much can be done to pre- 

 vent loss by leaving the boards farther apart than usual, especially 

 at the top, so as not to crowd the stalks too much. Earthing should 

 not be done during such weather. Preventive measures are the only 

 known means of controlling this trouble. 



Cost of production. Under favorable conditions celery, although 

 an expensive crop to produce, is very profitable. The following 

 tabulation will serve as a guide to the cost of the crop and the 

 returns which may be expected from one acre : 



Rental of land ....,-..-. . . .-..-. . $ 20.00 



Cost of preparation . . . .... . '. ' . ~~ 10.00 



Cost of fertilizer .... ...... . . 44.00 



Cost of plants (50 M. at 75 cents) 37-5 



Cost of transplanting . . 6.00 



Cost of cultivation . ., . ...' 15.00 



Harvesting . , -.. . 10.00 



Crates and transportation 100.00 



Total expense $242.50 



Receipts : 4000 doz. at 20 cents $800.00 



Net profit $557-50 



