CHAP. XVIII VILLA. GARDENING 465 



first forced will be strong enough to force again. Successions of 

 roots should be taken up monthly at least, beginning towards the 

 end of November, and finishing 1st of March. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



Celery. — This is one of the most useful of winter vegetables, and 

 has been recommended to be eaten by those who suifer from rheu- 

 matism in any of its forms. Scarcely any one grows enough even 

 to meet the demand there is for it in a raw state. It makes a 

 delicious dish when stewed, after it has been Avell grown and pro- 

 perly blanched in autumn and winter. 



For Early Use seeds of a good white and red kind should 

 be sown in heat early in February. The seeds are small, and 

 must not be covered too deeply. I simply cover with a sprinkling 

 of sand. They take some time to germinate, and should be kept at 

 an even state of moisture. When the young plants appear, if they 

 seem thick in the pans or boxes, weed out a few of the weakly 

 ones, place near the glass in the full light, and when large enough 

 to handle prick off" into other boxes or into pots. If in boxes, set 

 them 3 inches apart, to give room enough for full development. If 

 in pots, either pot singly in 3-inch pots or place three or four plants 

 round the sides of a 5-inch pot. They must occupy a light posi- 

 tion in a genial temperature, where there is artificial heat enough 

 to ensui-e regular steady progress, but not enough to draw the 

 plants up weakly. In April move the plants to a cool pit or 

 frame, and harden off" preparatory to planting out in May. 



The Main Crop should be so\vn early in March, and this also 

 must be done in a nice genial temperature. A vinery at work, 

 where the boxes can get a fair share of light, will do. Sometimes, 

 where a large number of plants are required, a hotbed is made up 

 on purpose for the Celeiy. It should be made of two-third leaves, 

 mixed with one-third stable manure ; and, as soon as the frame 

 and lights are placed on, 6 inches of soil may be placed over the bed, 

 pressed down to give firmness, and the seeds may be sown. There 

 is no occasion to wait for the heat to get up, as we know that with 

 such a bed the temperatm-e will not get too high. The moisture 

 and air in the soil will be acting upon the cuticles of the seeds, and 

 when the heat rises the yomig plants \vill be in a condition to 

 move. In any case, when the young plants come up — whether 

 sown in boxes, or on the siurface of a hotbed — the weaklings had 

 better be taken out. 



In pricking off the plants, I do not think there is any necessity 

 2 H 



