468 VILLA GAEDENING part a^ 



single rows. If double rows are planted, the spaces in each case 

 should be a foot more. Where the bed system is adopted, the 

 trench may be from 4 to 6 feet wide, and contain from fom* to 

 six rows of plants. 



Earthing -UP. — A little earth will be scattered romid the 

 plants when hoeing, and later on the edges of the trenches may be 

 hoed down with the view of giving the leaves an upward tendency. 

 This may be done without stopping the water supply if the weather 

 should be hot and dry. But the principal earthing-up should be 

 done all at once, about five Aveeks before the Celery is required for 

 use, and when the necessity for artificial watering has ceased. 

 Every part of the plant must be dry, and any small outside growths, 

 which will be of no value, may be taken ott". It is a good plan to 

 wind a string of matting round each plant before the earth is 

 placed to it — this saves an extra liand, and the work is better 

 done. Frequently, in earthing-up Celery, one walks backwards 

 astride the row and holds the plants up in succession ; a couple of 

 men move on each side parallel with him, break down the soil, and 

 place it round the plants with spades. It is important that the 

 soil be well broken up, and it should be built up carefully round 

 the plants, but not so high as to faU over into the heart, as that 

 will not only check growth but bring on decay. In soils much 

 infested with snails a little lime or soot may be scattered along 

 beneath the foliage, after the plants are tied up, and mixed with 

 the soil. A few coal-ashes may also be itsed with advantage, as 

 snails will not penetrate far where ashes and soil are mixed. If 

 the Celery is expected to keep far into the winter, the ridges or 

 banks of soil should be made straight and firm, Avitli a smootli foce 

 to throw oft" the water. 



Protecting in Winter. — At the approach of very severe 

 weather a few dozen heads may be lifted carefully without any 

 trimming, and be laid in damp sand or ashes in a pit, or where it 

 can be readily got at when wanted for use, and easily protected 

 from frost. But the main bulk of the crop will have to be shel- 

 tered where grown with dry litter. It is best to wait till the fii'st 

 night of frost is over, and then, when the top of the ground is 

 frozen, the weather looks settled, and the frost likely to continue, 

 cover the rows not only on the top but also on the sides with diy 

 litter, and the covering must remain on till the frost is over. 



Varieties. — White : Incomparable, Grove White ; Seymour's 

 Solid White. Bed : Carter's Incomparable Crimson ; Major Clerk's 

 SoUd Red, and Sutton's Sulham Prize Pink. 



Diseases and Insects. — Of these the Celery fly (Tephritis 

 onopordinis) is the most troublesome. The pupse or grubs remain 



