The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-03-01
THE FEBRUARY
Meeting Of Stark County
Horticultural Society
One of Profit.
THE CULTURE OF CELERY

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The Stark County Horticultural So
ciety held the February meeting on
the twentienth, at Canton College, Ok
ford street, North Canton.
DR.. Young, President of the college,
was detained at his home by sickness,
and 1t somewhat seemed as IL his abb
sence might ldetract from the worth Of
the meeting, but happily Prof. Kefaub-
er and other members of the college
took charge of the meeting. and were
assisted bysa committee of ladies from
tho Society, who helped serve the din
ner. and ths meeting proved TO be one
among the many pleasant and profta-
BILE meetings that fall to the good lot
of this society
The day was a beautiful winter day,
the meeting was largely attended, the
program rendered by the teachers and
students in their effort to entertain
was appreciated, and called forth the
good will and wishes OF the visitors
and members of the society.
At 1870 o'clock the secretary called
the audience to order In the chapel.
A feeling of sadness peryaded the
meeting when 1t was learned that
President Hanna would not be present
on account OF the critical Illness of
Miss Hanna. Words of sympathy
were extended to our faithful presi-
dent.
In the absence of the president and
vice president, j. f. Roth offered a
motion that Clayton Holl be chosen
chairman of the meeting. Motion pre-
vailed. Clayton Holl took the chair
and appointed Ed. Byerly and w. H.
Bechtel to collect membership dues.
No unfinished business to come be-
fore the meeting. the next in order was
the reading of the essay. Mr.. Ed.
Byerly. who had been appointed essay
ist. responded with the following pa
per:
CELERY FOR PROFIT.
The common celery is found in a
wild state in Britain and most parts
of Europe. growing In bitches, brooks.
ETC.. especially near the sea in saline
soils.
The wild plant Is called smallage,
has stem two feet high. tapering
slender root. penetrating offensive
Odor.sa bitterish sacrtd taste and al
most poisonous qualities.
BY cultivation 1t is much changed !;
SO that It's taste becomes agreeably
sweetish and aromatic. while either
the leaf-stem thickens or the roots
swell in a turnip like manner. These
parts were first used as a salad, or to
flavor soups, &C., and sometimes as a
boiled vegetable.
Celery contains sugar, mucilage,
starch and a substance resembling SUI
gar-manna.
The celery industry has witnessed a
remarkable change during the last
twenty years; then it was rarity and
luxury and the majority of people
never saw 1t neither tasted 1t.
The market gardener grew it in a
limited and laborious way. mostly for
city consumers who could afford tc
pay good price for the article; and
then the supply lasted only for short
time. You will find a little patch now
In nearly every complete home garden
In various parts of the country 1t is
now grown by the tens. hundreds and
even by the thousand acres. People
have learned to like it and will have
It; they can afford 1t, too. because the
supply is large and the prices have
come down to moderate figures.
Celery has proved itself to be more
than a luxury and has great medical
or neryine preprties; more especially
to those who are afflicted with nervous
headache: and by the Egyptians was
considered a preventative for sea sick.
ness.
CULTURE: Since prices have beer
greatly reduced 1t would seem almos
folly for those who live near to any
large celery garden to try to grow 4
tor their own use; yet for the benefit
Of those who are not so fayorably- sit
Iated. some light will be thrown OF
upland or home garden culture.
For early celery the seed is sowI
the latter part of February or the frs
. of March, In we'll enriched fine soil
either in beds IN the greenhouse o.
hotbed. or In shallow boxes in th'
house.
Have the soil we'll flrmed. then SOW
In shallow drills or broadcast: bu
owing to the smallness of the seed
should be covered very lightly; and T.
prevent much drying out OF the sol
and keep the seed in a germinatinI
condition. they should be covered witt
heavy paper.
Water occasionally until they begi
TO germinate and show signs o
gowth. which will begin in from l