The Citizen, 1994-06-22, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22,1994.
Things to learn about rutabagas
Tons of rutabagas are shipped
each year from Blyth to points
throughout the United States and
Canada, as it's no wonder that
rutabagas have such a "deep
rooted" history in the Blyth area.
It was 37 years ago, that Blyth
hosted a Rutabaga Agricultural
Fair, the forerunner of this
upcoming celebration of the Blyth
Rutabaga Festival.
Since 1963, George Hubbard has
operated a thriving rutabaga plant
in Blyth which he purchased from
the late Russell Dougherty, a long
time Blyth resident who was a
pioneer in the rutabaga industry.
In 1939, he started up a rutabaga
waxing plant in Blyth, and in 1951
invented a precision seeder, which
sowed one seed at a time.
This eliminated a tremendous
amount of back breaking hand
labor and saved many dollars per
for seed. This machine, and
hundreds of copies are still in use
today.
In 1953, Dougherty and promoter
A. H. Wilford became known in
Canada for their publicity schemes
to change the image of the Swede
turnip - promoting it as the
"Vitabaga" or "Rutabaga".
At that time, most of Dougherty's
crop was exported to the United
States with the exception of
wholesalers in the Leamington and
Toronto areas.
To encourage Canadians to
purchase rutabagas, they had lots of
ideas. Dougherty and Wilford took
rutabagas to every Member of
Parliament in Ottawa and when the
Queen came to visit, they presented
her with a 50 lb. bag, and attended
fairs throughout the country to
introduce the vegetable to
Canadians.
Rutabagas are sometimes
‘Star’ reporter
judges
parade
Linda Barnard of The Toronto
Star will be attending the 5th
Annual Blyth Rutabaga Festival on
June 25.
She will be judging the floats,
bands ano other entrants in the
parade as well as gaining some
insight into small town Ontario and
the festival itself.
confused with turnips - but they
both belong to the same family.
The correct botanical name for
rutabaga is Bassica napus. Some of
its other names are: Swede and
Swede tumip.
Its swollen stem, which looks
like a "root" can either be cooked
or sliced raw to eat in salads and it
tastes like a mixture of tumip and
cabbage.
The rutabaga is closely related to
other common vegetables such as
broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage,
cauliflower and mustard.
Almost without exception,
rutabaga producers in Ontario grow
the "laurentian" variety which was
developed by Professor Raymond
at Macdonald College in Guelph
many years ago.
George & Matt
30% OFF
Early Bird
Sale...
Welcome to
Rutabaga
Festival Days
June 24, 25 & 26,1994
SHARP DEALS ON
QUALITY - CLEAN
READY-TO-GO
USED CARS
Great Savings on These
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Some One
Owner Low Mileage.
1991 Mercury Topaz, 4 door, air, AM/FM
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1991 Ford Taurus, 4 door, air, cruise and
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1987 Mercury Grand Marquis, 4 door, air,
cruise, tilt, power windows, AM/FM stereo
and cassette.
1987 GMC Half Tort, V8, automatic.
1987 Dodge 250 Van, 6 cyl., automatic.
1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo, 4 door,
loaded.
1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Dodge Van 250,6 cyl., automatic.
1986 Plymouth Reliant SE, Station Wagon.
Come and Join us for a
weekend of fun, for the
whole family.
DO TURN UP!
HAMM’S
Serving 'Blytfi and area for 50 years
BLYTH 523-4342
TOWNSEND TIRE
Londesboro
Call 523-4742 or 522-1629 after hours
Sale on regular
priced merchandise
* This excludes
fresh flowers & plants
Blyth 523-4820
Enjoy the Rutabaga
Festival Celebrations!
R1STMAS
COUNTRY
Floweri 4 Gifts
SAT., JUNE 25
8 a.m. -lOa.m
STOREWIDE
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m
20% OFF
STOREWIDE
I.
Come to the
Shriner’s Fish Fry
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
at the Blyth Arena
Serving - White Perch, a choice
of salads including rutabaga
coleslaw, a roll, coffee or tea
and dessert.
Adults $8.50 Children $4.50
treat yourself
This advertisement Is sponsored by
Jnsnranrp
523-4481
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