86 Some Minor Farm ( 'rops. 



It will usually cost 2s. 6r/. to 3s. per ton in the town. Of 

 course the question of freight for such bulky manure is a 

 serious one, and where water carriage is possible it is always 

 resorted to, as great economy is thereby effected. The manure 

 is carefully spread and trodden level in the trenches, which will 

 be some 15 in. in width, and a thin furrow-slice from one side 

 of the trench is turned over on to the manure. Artificials, if 

 used, are sown on this and covered with a thin furrow from 

 the other side of the trench. The land is well harrowed and 

 then left in this condition till the middle of June, when the 

 the plants are ready to be transplanted from the beds into the 

 trenches. 



This work is done by gangs, two men and a boy to each 

 gang ; one man rakes the surface of the land in the trench, the 

 boy or " dropper," as he is called, drops the plants five inches 

 apart, whilst the second man pricks holes with a short thick 

 pointed stick, puts in the plants and firmly presses the soil 

 around. The cost of this operation works out at \l. per acre. 

 The land must be kept clean, first by hand hoeing and then 

 with the horse hoe. 



In July, when the plants have grown to a sufficient height, 

 a two-horse furrow is turned towards and up to the plant on 

 each side, and is then pulverized down by means of the 

 "scarifier" or "grubber" which is a strong, heavy implement. 



In September, the celery will be ready for " banking " : a 

 four-horse furrow is turned up with the digger on top of the 

 last f^^rrow, right up to and on each side of the plant, and 

 slightly pressing it. The pressing must not be carried too far 

 or else the plant uiay be nipped, or pushed over on one side. 

 When this work is completed the rest of the land is then 

 scarified, and, if possible, a further furrow-slice is lifted on to 

 the former one, should the plant be tall enough. 



The top of the ridge is then pushed in close to the plants 

 on both sides, thus pressing and holding them together in a thin 

 line. This is done with a tool similar to an ohl sweeping 

 brush. Finally, the earth is thrown still higher with the spade 

 or shovel, and trimmed to the top. The ridge will now be two 

 feet or more in height with six inches of the celery leaves 

 showing above it. This expensive operation is necessary to 

 ensure the effectual bleaching of the greater part of the stalk, 

 and further it prevents damage by rain and frost. It is some- 

 times necessary to heighten the ridge still more some ten days 

 before marketing, so as to bleach the last growth. 



The date of marketing celery varies to a great extent. It 

 may be in the autumn, or it may not be till after Christmas, but 

 usually a good crop will be ready sometime in October. The 

 plant will be between two and three feet in length and the 



