118 MARKET GARDENING. 



and west winds have to be guarded against, because, 

 under their influence, moisture disappears from the soil 

 as rapidly as from a burning brick kiln, and all surface- 

 rooted vegetation comes to a complete standstill. To 

 guard against injurious winds a tight board fence eight 

 feet high can be erected with profit. The preparation 

 of celery ground should always include some plan for 

 providing moisture, especially if in a section of country 

 where dry weather prevails in August. 



A row of tanks, each thirty-six inches wide, thirty 

 inches deep and fourteen feet long stands at the head 

 or most elevated portion of a profitable celery garden, 

 known to the writer. The tanks are connected at the 

 ends by short tin spouts. They are set on trestles, the 

 first twenty inches above the ground, the second two 

 inches lower, and so on to the last. A windwill, erected 

 over a large well close by, pumps water into the highest 

 tank, and, when full, it overflows into the next, and on, 

 until all are full. On the side of each tank, close to the 

 bottom, a one and a half inch hole is bored opposite 

 each row of celery, and tight plugs inserted. When the 

 celery begins to show signs of suffering, for want of 

 moisture, the windmill is set to work and the tanks filled. 

 At sunset the plugs are knocked out, the waters gush 

 forth, striking on pieces of board, and flow down the 

 celery trenches. This is repeated the following et^ening. 

 Every third evening is passed and the harrow run 

 between the rows. Irrigation is continued wiiile the 

 drouth lasts, and the celery invariably makes a splendid 

 growth. 



About the 10th of September begins the handling 

 of that portion of the crop intended for the early mar- 

 ket. One man drawing the loose soil toward the plants 

 with a hoe, another grasping the entire plant with his 

 right hand, holding it straight up, the stalks close 

 together, drawing the earth against it with his left, then 



