THE FREAK PUMPKIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3597, 14 November 1905, Page 4

THE FREAK PUMPKIN.

IhNWd Yankee Farmers Stare Tamed It lata an £ver-lmii«iu-ln« Source of Income.

The modern farmer is learning l to lake advantage of the weaknesses of nature, says the New i York Mail and Express. One of these weaknesses is foundj in the lordly pumpkin. Bruise a growing pumpkin and the sear' will never be cleared away, but will show in the ripe pumpkin in the shape of delicate little yellow warts. Starting with this principle, some shrewd Yankees have made their pumpkin farms valuable.

After the, melons get good-sized and. prove that they will be fine ones 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, iu words of warts, legendb like these: “Eat meat Smith’s;” Smith will make pies of me soon;’’ “Brown’s pies are the best;” “Jones’pies ara delicious! ” “You can eat me inside.”

The wily farmer hauls these warty fellows to market, and. calling Smith, Jones and Brown from their respective restaurants, shows the arrange freak of nature. Of course a sale is made on sight, and the pumpkin lies at the of the restaurant for a few days to astonish passers-by until it must be made into pics to save it. Then the farmer discovers 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 wea’" ill pumpkins. Careful Picking of Apple*. The fruit should be loosened by raising upward and not pulled off, a» is usually done, and with varieties that cling tenaciously, raise the apple and give it a half turn at the same time. . Lay carefully in the basket or receptacle used, ami when placing, in a barrel or box handle with care, in fact just as tenderly as you would eggs, thereby preventing bruising or puncturing of the skin by the stem*. Apples for home use should not be placed in the cellar, but in a dark, well-ventilated building, until freezing weather approaches, and those intended for market should be put upon the ground under the trees, to remain a week, or more, and then barreled. All bruised ones are then readily discernible ana may be thrown out for evap-