104 COOL SEASON VEGETABLES 



sand. A little moisture may be added by setting the bottom of the 

 crates in shallow water for a few minutes. Celery is sometimes 

 held in cold storage in shipping crates without any sand or soil. 



The winter crop of celery which reaches northern markets in 

 spring is produced in Florida and other southern states. It grows 

 throughout the winter in the open garden where the ground does 

 not freeze. Good varieties for the home garden are Golden Self 

 Blanching and Giant Pascal. 



Celeriac is turnip rooted celery. The seed is planted and started 

 much the same way as with celery. The roots are the edible portion. 

 These are used for vegetable soups and contain the same medicinal 

 qualities as found in the celery plant; these properties make both 

 of these crops valuable articles of the diet. They are considered 

 nerve tonics. As the stems are not to be used for food, blanching 

 is not required. 



EXERCISES, SURVEYS, AND PROJECTS. 



1. Varieties. — Obtain several garden catalogues and study varieties of the 

 crops included in this chapter. Determine which varieties are most used in 

 your section and why. 



2. New Crops. — What crops of this chapter are not commonly grown in 

 your region? Get seeds of these and grow the crops to edible maturity. 



3. Uses of Vegetables. — Get recipe books and government bulletins to 

 learn new ways of using the different vegetables. If possible let some of these 

 dishes be prepared and served at home or at school. 



4. Cultural Methods. — Make inquiry regarding cultural methods used 

 in your region, for each of these crops. Include rate of seeding, time of plant- 

 ing, transplanting, distances between rows, depth, cultivation, and special treat- 

 ment. Record these in tabular form and note the variations. Indicate by 

 special marks with colored pencil, which you consider best for each crop, con- 

 sidering soil, climate, and everything. 



5. Head Lettuce is often difficult to bring to perfection. Discover what 

 difficulties are encountered if any. Give the best methods to those who are 

 not successful with this crop. Consider the best variety for the region and soil, 

 temperature at time of heading, watering, fertility of soil, shade and any other 

 vital points. 



6. Garden peas should be tried in the fall. Grow the crop at home and 

 report results. 



7. Turnips of several varieties including both the yellow and white, should 

 be grown in comparison with each other to determine the rate of growth, qual- 

 ties, winter hardiness and other points. 



8. Resistance to freezing may be tested as a home project by growing 

 winter radishes, spinach, mustard, corn salad, garden cress, cabbage, and 

 others of this group. Start them at suitable times in the fall and allow a part 

 of each crop to remain in the garden over winter. Protect them with leaves, 

 straw, or other light litter. Do not smother them too much if the winter is mild. 



9. Celery may be grown as a special home project to make trials of diff- 

 erent methods of setting, culture, blanching, storing, etc. 



10. Sauer kraut may be made as a home project. Test its keeping quali- 



