-^^W^^ 



1863. 



THE ILLINOIS FAKMEK. 



153 



The time of digging up, of course, varies some- 

 what in different localities. In thia district we 

 usually have all put away by the middle of Novem- 

 ber ; and after some ten years' experience, we find 

 no plan so simple or so safe as the French or drain 

 system of blanching or preservatioli. 



The process consists in digging a trench or drain 

 ten or twelve inches wide, and of the depth of the 

 whole length of the celery. -The celery is then 

 packed perpendicularly in the trench, moderately 

 tight, until the whole is filled up. It will be under- 

 stood that there is no soil thrown in about the 

 roots — none being necessary. The roots, being at 

 the bottom of the trench, quickly absorb sufficient 

 moisture to encourage new roots, which, as soon 

 as formed, the blanching process is begun, and the 

 celery will be fit for use in four or six weeks from 

 the time of being put in the trench. It is indis- 

 pensable to cover the trench with leaves or stable 

 litter to the depth of six or eight inches ; but this 

 must be done gradually — two or three inches at a 

 time — as the season advances. If put on all at 

 once, it stops the evaporation from the mass of 

 celery packed in the trench, and the blanching be- 

 ing prematurely hastened, it would not keep so 

 well as if covered gradually. 



The great advantage we find in this way of pre- 

 serving winter celery is, in the easy access we get 

 to it in all weathers — nothing more being necessa- 

 ry than to remove the litter and take out what is 

 wanted, and cover in carefully again. 



I have been induced to offer these remarks on 

 seeing your article on the subject in last month's 

 number, which, although it is, no doubt, all claim- 

 ed for it, is expensive and troublesome ; and in lo- 

 calities where drain tiles are not be had, impracti- 

 cable ; while by the plan above narrated, you can 

 have as fine eating celery as can be produced by 

 any other method, and that, too, at the cost of not 

 more than one cent per head. In field culture its 

 cost is less than half a cent per head, although the 

 elaborate system of bunching for the New York 

 market costs at least half a cent more. — Q-ar- 

 dener's Monthly. 



— «•► 



— A good story is fold of a Federal oflBcer's 

 first appearance in polite society- in Arkansas. 

 The company were engaged in dancing, and the 

 loveliest female present occupied a chair near 

 the window, without a partner. Stepping up to 

 the lady he exclaimed : 



Will you do me the honor to grace me with 

 your company for the next set?" 



"Yes, sir-ee?" she repUed, "for I've sot, and 

 sOt, and sot, tiU I've bout tuk root !" 



BAILHACHE & BAKEB - - - FUBLISHEBS. 

 M. L. DUNLAP, Editor. 



SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, MAY, 1863. 



The winter, so open and unfavorable to farm 

 operations has thus far been followed by a cold, 

 backward spring. On the mornings of the 8th and 

 9th the ground was frozen near two inches deep, 

 and at this writing 18th inst., the mornings are 

 of the overcoat order. This, for Central Illinois, 

 is unusual, and beyond the memory of that highly 

 extolled and popular individual, the oldest inhabit- 

 ant. 



Farmers are yet sowing spring wheat, and cer- 

 tainly with the prospect of having it frozen after 

 germinating, so essential to this crop. The ground, 

 so thoroughly packed and run together with the 

 continued and heavy winter rains, is breaking up 

 cloddy for the want of April showers. Verily the 

 winter is lingering in the lap of spring — or rather 

 the spring has no lap to linger in, and we may 

 look out for one bound from winter to summer a 

 la Minnisota. The severe freezing has made it 

 dangerous to ship fruit trees, and the farmers are 

 but just beginning to visit the nurseries. To sum 

 up, we are full three, weeks behind. 



We would advise the free use of the roller in all 

 this cloddy land at any cost, as it will be the sav- 

 ing of the crop in many cases. If it cannot be 

 done at the time of planting or sowing, better put 

 it on the corn at four inches and the grain at the 

 same hight than to neglect it. 



-'9*- 



BooK Fahming not Wanted in Tazewell Cous- 

 TT — ^Where is the School Master?-^ 



"Apl2d63 

 Baynton Tazewell Co 111 

 sir I have notefied the Publishers of the 111 

 farmer sent here to Levi Dillon is not taken out of 

 the office In consequence of the postage not be- 

 ing paid you will be so good as to pay the postage 

 before you send them or I will halve to sell them 

 for the postage My opinion is in as mutch as he 

 wont Pay the postage you had better stop the pa- 

 per but you can do as you like or pleas I think I 

 can find aman that will buy them for the postage 



Youra 



Jesse Dillon 



P.M. of 



Boynton ill 



I under stand be dont want the paper and it 



looks so to me or he would pay 



Vi-^.-A.id£^^ 





