The times., 1900-04-01
CELERY IN THE WEST.
How the Relish Is Grown and Made
Ready for the Market.

ltTUU the Kansas I llA JNuIidil .
There is but one city in the United States
that probably handles more celery in car
load lots than Kansas City. and that IS
Chicago; and the city by the Kaw is giving
the Windy City a strong race for the Lead
ership. only two firms in the city han
die this article and but one exclusively.
yet these two manage to Use for distribu-
tion nearly fifteen cars of this succulent
relish every week during its season The
celery season commences in september and
runs into the middle Of March The early
part Of the season Utah furnishes the eel
cry aud later California supplies the bal
ance of it
c. W. Harris has made a study OF the
growing and handling Of this commodity
and is considered an expert among the
smaller dealers in celery throughout the
States Of the South and Southwest where
the larger shipments are made. This city
sends the greater portion of the celery
shipped here TO the Southern States. There
are net more than a dozen cities in the
country which have enough consumption
to warrant shipping il in carload lots.
Great care has TO be exercised in the
growing Of the plant. The ground must
be moist and easy Of irrigation. As the
tons begin to appear IL is necessary to
keep the stems white. Again care must
be taken to prevent worms getting into
the stalks and also to prevent r1ttins
When the stalks are sufficiently grown the
plants are pulled up and tied in bunehes
of one dozen by many growers, while cth-
ers ship them in crates which hold from
eight to twelve punches Of enc dozen each
As these crates are Of one size the dealer
knows the qualiry Of the celery by the
number Of punches contained in a crate
for instance. II there are but eight dozen
of the plants in a crate he knows that they
will be Of larger growth than where
crate contains more and as size is one o
the requisites Of good celery. this is one
Of the first things noted.
After the stalks are gathered and tie'
up or Grated. they are placed in cars 10
transportation. They are shipped in citDe
refrigerator CT ventilated cars. the i"fIne
being preferable as when shipped in thil
manner there is less liability of freezing
Frost in celery destroys the juices. an'
make- the plant bitter. From l,O'n X
600 dozen bunches are loaded into ca
and they are shipped just as they ar
taken from The ground roots and all N
attempt is made 70 wash the plants, a.
they will keep better in transit when II
a natural condition and VIII ripen better
Upon its arrival in the city the deale
takes the ear at his own risk. and ihere O
always a loss Of from dozen TO 100 bunch
e- on each car. The punches are then ne
moved TO the sorting room. wnere ell wilt
ed or decayed punches are thrown away
The trimmer then cuts of the roofs. an
strius of stems that are green or decdyed
All rolgh and disfgured stalks are ais
striuped off. but in this there is no loss
as the plants are always sold by the dozen
This work is always carefully watched. s.
that no poor Unlocking celery shall b
sent out. Mr.. Harris gives this work hi
personal attention. and watches the hand
ling with great care. From the rimme
the punches 90 to he washer, who mus
be we'll versed in the different grades o
the product. as 10 is his duty. while wash
} ing ont the dirt. to separate the dIHsreu
1 qualities. The punches are thrown rpon
( long table and an ordinary garden hos
used As the punches become clean tn
/ washer selects the various grades. an
/ they are piled by q helper on ditereu
/ benches. There are four grades conI~
I cially-tha Jumbo, which mas Jne Iark
/ est aud best bleachod stems; this Is tie
/ with a blue and red ribbon; the blue rib
/ bon" known also as the fancy tied wit
+ a blue ribbon. the red ribbon choice
with a red ribbon. and the white ribbOn
: or standard tied with white ribbon
After the plants are gathered there
/ no method Of improving the quality. al
Z though they must be watched very care
I fully to prevent deterioration.