ON THE CULTIVATION OF CELERY. 



215 



Section across the bed, sliowivg the Mode of Earthing Celer>/ with 

 double boards. 



I, Manure-bed; 2, First earthing; 3, Celery Plants; 4, Vacuum between the adjusted 

 boards to receive fine blanching material ; 5, Common earth from the ridges. 



When sufficient blanching material has been deposited, the 

 boards are carefully withdrawn and placed in the opposite row ; 

 and it will be readily understood that tlie fine mould which had 

 passed through the vacuum formed between the boards, will be 

 in immediate connexion with the leaves of the plants, the com- 

 mon earth placed in the centre of the row enabling it to maintain 

 that position. These boards can, of course, be readily set any 

 required distance apart, that distance being determined by the 

 quantity of blanching material at command. This mode, whether 

 applied to single rows or the more economical system of bed 

 culture, I consider to be at least equal in its effects to any 

 advantage that can be derived from the use of tiles — and this 

 altogether apart from any consideration of the original expense 

 of sucli ware, or tlie frequent breakage arising from the action 

 of frost or other inevitable causes ; and where, as at a ducal 

 establishment I was formerly connected with, 12,000 plants were 

 annually grown, the item for such dilapidations would amount 

 to something considerable, and that too without conferring any 

 equivalent benefit. 



The third and final earthing of the early crops is accom- 

 plished at intervals of 10 or 12 days before the celery is required 

 for use— placing the mould high and close about the leaves. I 

 have, however, found a diflferent system to be advantageous with 

 celery intended for winter use. Some time towards the latter 

 part of October, when the weather is dry and favourable, the 

 plants are fully earthed up, but the soil is neither put so high 

 nor is so closely packed to the leaves as is recommended for the 

 earlier crops, as I have found it to keep better under such con- 

 ditions : after the winter has fairly set in, I have a sufficient 

 quantity for a fortnight's consumption covered over with leaves 



