THE FREAK PUMPKIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3552, 27 July 1905, Page 4

THE FREAK PUMPKIN.

Itomd Tank«« Marmara l«vi Vanad It lalo ait EreMitNM* Inc Source oil Income. The modern farmer is learning to take advantage of the weaknesses of nature, says the New York Mail and Express. One of these weaknesses is found in the lordly pumpkin. Bruise a growing pumpkin and the scar will never be cleared away, but will show in the ripe pumpkin in the shape of delicate little yellow warts. Starting with this principle, seme shrewd Yankees have made their pumpkin farm valuable.

After the melons get good-sized and prove that they will be fine one* the farmers go into the patch and with a sharp stick scar them so that when they are ready for market their happy faces bear, in words of warts, legendb like these: "Eat meat Smith's;” Smith will moke pies of me soon;” "Brown’* pies are the best;” “Jones’ piea are delicious!” "You can eat me inside.”

The wily farmer hauls these warty felkws to market, and, calling Smith, Jones and Brown from their respective restaurants, shows the strange freak of nature. Of course n sale is made on sight, and the pumpkin lie* at the front of the restaurant for a few days to astonish passers-by until it must be mad* into pies to save it. Then ‘the farmer discover a another freak pumpkin, suitably marked, to replace it. Fancy prices are to be paid for these pumpkins, and stony patches that would never pay taxes in any other crop produce wealth in pumpkins. OenM Pteklma «f Assies, The fruit should be loosened by raising upward and not pulled off, as is usually done, and with varieties that cling tenaciously, raise the apple and give it a half turn at the same lime. Lay carefully in the basket or receptacle used, and when placing In a barrel or box handle with care, in fact just as tenderly as you would eggs, thereby preventing bruising or of the skin by the stems. Apples for home use Ahould not be placed in the cellar, bit in a dark, well-ventilated bunding, until freezing weather; appu.a I those inteud-

ed for market should be put upon the ground under the tree*, to remain a week-or more, and then barreled. All bruised ones are then readily discern* may be thrown out lor ersp-