The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-02-06
CELERY IN FLORIDA.

the experience of the Gultivator, the
conditions existing or the location. Few
people in the gard ening business I'M
Florida understand the mysteries Of
celery culture, as only of late years has
it been looked upon as possible South
ern product. This fact doubtless &C
counts for many failures.
In response to an inquiry Id the Flor
ida Ruralist, a correspondent writes
that journal as follows:
In the RURALfsr of JANUARY you ask
several questions on raising aid market
ing celery, for the benefit of "Mr. Cla-
VEL" The questions are Of necessity Of
general import, and specia and def
nl'e answer cannot be given. We, how
ever, will answer as definitely in as lin
ted space as possible.
The answers given are to be based
on experience" We have, to a limited
extent, had an experience. of several
years in raising celery. Experience,
however, as all producers very we'll know,
differs. Meteorological conditions are
beyond our control, we do not know just
what are the ingredients of the soil,
what the plant in it's general makeup
requires, and so results are not always
what they would be, or we reasonably
might expect, under other clrcum-
stances. Our experience, therefore, is
annual, as every close observer and per-
sistent tiler of the soil, who by dint of
perseverance, has coupled success to eff
fort, very well knows.
What is the condition of the muck
land referred to? Has it an inclin-
ing to the south, has it been we'll drained,
has it been "plowed beam Deep and
thus lifted up into the air and sunshine,
and so swertened and brought in con-
dition to be titled? These are important
questions. The land now used for Gel
cry culture at Kalamazoo, Mich. is muck
land, once swamp, is thoroughly
drained, and under the highest cultiva-
ton. Our land on which we raise Gel
cry is sandy loan. Before we can ex-
pect to raise crop we must civllize the
land, especially muck land.
Hard wood ashes are best for dry
land that lacks potash. We would not
use ashes on moist land, as potash liber-
ates ammonia. We would by no means
mix ashes with commercial fertilizer or
barnyard manure. If we wished to use
the ashes, we would use them as dress
ing, first thoroughly incorporating by
cultivating the manure with the soil.
We thus get the benefit of all we apply
to the land
We do not think it best to bank
celery unit! it has got to considerable
size, and only long enough before it gets
to size fit to use or for market, so it can
blanch. In banking be careful to gather
in all the stalks, so not to cover the
crown with dirt and stop the growth of
the plant The inside stalks are the de-
licious part of the bunch, and give it
value. Do not bank when the plants or
ground are damp, as the stalks will rust.
The packing of the celery, of course,
depends on where and when it is to be
marketed. If you wish to get good
price for it, put it up neatly and nicely,
so it will look well, and recommend
itself We all like to purchase things
that look we'll, much more those of re-
fined tastes when they buy the luxuries
of life.
Now, We would say to the producer,
if he would know himself and his sur
roundir gs more thoroughly, get the best
work on the subject, as Peter Henderson
on Gardening for Profit" visit the
grounds of scientific gardeners, see how
they do, and then use your own brains;
and, then by an experience which will
give practical wisdom, you will learn
how In dO in VOuP1alf