116 PRESENT STATUS OP THE INDUSTRY. 



light dressing of humus, pulverized well-rotted manure 

 or unleached wood ashes, and a mulching of leaves 

 for protection during the winter and to conserve 

 moisture during the hot months of summer. Some, 

 wood ashes sprinkled on the beds while the plants are 

 growing makes a good fertilizer; just apply the ashes 

 without removing the mulch. 



"The seeds begin to ripen early in August and 

 should be gathered as they ripen, and as it takes them 

 eighteen months as a rule to germinate they should be 

 stratified in sifted soil in a strong box, which may be 

 kept in a cellar and kept moist by watering occasion- 

 ally, as the seed should not be allowed to dry out 

 thoroughly. [Don't keep too wet, because the seeds 

 may rot.] The box may be buried outside, letting it in 

 the ground till the top is three or four inches below 

 the surface. The seed should be kept in this manner 

 for twelve months, or until the following fall, and then 

 planted. 



"After the roots have reached a good marketable 

 size, which, if two-year-old roots have been planted 

 will be in from three to four years, they should be dug 

 carefully, so as not to cut or bruise them, and washed 

 clean. They may then be dried in the sun or in a 

 moderate artificial heat, care being taken to prevent 

 burning or scorching them. They will then be ready 

 to pack in clean boxes for market." 



Mr. John Fraser, Salem, N. Y. : "Select any good 

 corn land; better take that which is free of stone, or 

 remove all stone to the depth of one foot. If the 

 ground be in sod, manure it well and crop the first 

 year with corn, cabbage, or some other farm crop. In 

 selecting a location better keep away from shade trees 

 and all woodland. All experienced growers agree 

 that the best results are obtained by garden or field 

 culture, under shade. 



"Having the ground free of stone and other 

 obstructions, use well-rotted manure at the rate of one 



