144 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



CELERY CULTURE IN MAINE. 



Our method is as follows : We prepare our hot-bed about the last of 

 March or first of April, putting three or four inches of steaming hot manure 

 under a little more than that depth of rich fine soil, covering with sashes and 

 allowing it to heat a little for the next twenty-four hours. The sashes are then 

 taken off and the soil thoroughly stirred. It is then smoothed and pressed down 

 firmly with a short piece of board. The seed is then sown quite thickly on this 

 surface, and a very thin covering of rich loam sifted over it, which in turn is 

 pressed down firmly. 



Now a covering of thin cloth is laid over it, thus preventing the seed wash- 

 ing out in watering. When the plants make their appearance, this cloth is taken 

 off, and the outside of the sash daubed with whitewash or mud. The sashes 

 are allowed to remain a little longer, airing freely while the sun is shining on 

 them. Great care is exercised at this point in their growth as they will die if 

 kept too dry, and if kept too wet they will damp off. When the plants are about 

 an inch in height they are transplanted into a bed that has been used in growing 

 lettuce or radishes. About 350 plants are allowed for the space occupied by 

 one sash. The sashes removed, and the plants kept shaded from ten to three 

 for a few days. 



All that is necessary is to keep them wet from this time until the 15th to 20th 

 of June. They are then set out in ground that has been heavily manured and 

 fined, in rows six feet apart and one foot apart in the row. 



Until the middle of August we cultivate between the rows, and keep the 

 plants clean by hoeing occasionally. After this time we bank up what is 

 needed for the local market. After the first of October we begin to bank 

 up what is to be housed for winter. We begin taking it into the house the 

 25th of the month. 



Most of the writers on celery neglect to speak about the importance of 

 keeping out of the celery while the dew is on. If handled in this condition 

 it is liable to rust. 



^ IsToVelfi^s. ^ 



Conrath Raspberry is said to be a seedling of Gregg. The R.N.Y. 

 reports it comparatively tender ; but has stood a temperature of 20°. Berries 

 black, with some bloom. Quality better than Gregg, though seeds are too 

 large. 



Alice Grape. — On trial with R.N.Y. since 1887. Will keep a long time 

 and finally raisin instead of rotting. So says the originator, Mr. Gunn. 



