298 



ON THE CULTIVATION OF CELERY. 



material through very early sowing, must, in a proportionate 

 degree, deteriorate the character of the production. One of the 

 first points to which I would respectfully direct attention in 

 order to obtain tender, crisp, and good keeping celery, is to sow 

 it much later than usual, and to cultivate it very highly after- 

 wards ; never if possible suffering it to receive a check of any 

 kind. A very small sowing, to obtain a little very early celery, 

 may be made in the early part of February ; but for the principal 

 .supply the beginning of April will suffice, provided the maxim 

 be put in full practice. 



Tliis plant is such a gross feeder, that mere soil in the seed- 

 bed, be it ever so good, will not suffice alone to carry out these 

 principles. It should always be sown in contact with a thin 

 layer of very rotten manure; and above all things kept con- 

 stantly moist. It is, moreover, generally sown much too thick ; 

 and this frequently arises from the want of frame-room ; most 

 gardeners preferring to sow it in a hot-bed frame. There is, 

 however, no absolute necessity to rear it in a frame if sown as 

 here recommended : I have raised my main crops for years — 

 even in this northern climate — on open but elevated beds in the 

 open garden. True it is the young plant requires some nursing, 

 and much attention in guarding it from the snails and slugs ; 

 this, however, presents no obstacle worth consideration. 



My practice is to apply liquid manure occasionally to this late 

 sowing ; or at all events to keep the beds constantly moist. The 

 importance of an abundant supply of moisture is pretty well 

 known — especially during hot weather, when it is barely possible 

 to keep it too wet. Tills was long since shown by the late 

 Mr. Knight, who, taking into consideration the circumstance of 

 its being, as to its native habits, a ditch plant, shaped his course 

 of culture accordingly. 



As soon as the young plant can be handled with convenience, 

 transplanting must take place ; and this part of the cultivation 

 must be performed with much care. Elevated beds should be 

 had recourse to as a guarantee against battering storms, the 

 young plant being exceedingly liable to "choke" during heavy 

 rains. These beds should be thoroughly pulverised, and after 

 this process — being duly marked out — a coating of rotten manure 

 should be spread over the surface, two inches in thickness, and a 

 casing of the ordinary soil strewn over this, about an inch in 

 thickness. 



The soil being neatly levelled, a light roller may be passed 

 over the bed, in order to make a close and even surface ; or in 

 default of a roller, the soil may be patted with the spade; this 

 precaution will prevent injury from storms. By a kindly atten- 

 tion the plants'will be ready for final transplanting in about a 



