THE FREAK PUMPKIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3611, 16 December 1905, Page 4

THE FREAK PUMPKIN.

Ibrtwd Yanhetu Farmers Have Turned It Into an Ever-Insreoa-tng Source of Income.

The modern farmer is learning to take advantage of the weaknesses of nature, says the New York Mail and Express. One of those weaknesses is found' in the lordly pumpkin. Braise 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, some shrewd Yankee# have made their pumpkin farms valuable.

After the melons get goodrsized arid 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, in words of warts, legendis like these; “Eat me at Smith’s; ’’ Smith will make pies of me soon;” “Brown’s plea are the best;” "Jones’ plea are 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 strange freak of nature. Of course a sale is made on right, and the pumpkin lies at the front of the restaurant for a few days to astonish passers-by until it must be made into pies to save it. Then the farmer discovers another freak pumpkin, suitably marked, to replace it. Fancy prices ire to be paid for these pumpkins, and stony patches that would never pay taxes in any other crop product wealth In pumpkins.

flßHfnl Picking of Apple*. The fruit should be loosened by raising upward and not pulled off, aa La 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, and when placing in a barrel or box handle with care, in fact just as tenderly ns you would eggs, thereby preventing ‘bruising or puncturing of the skin by the stems. 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-