86 CULTURE OF CELERY 



and putting it in a flat or flattish basket or on a hand- 

 barrow, on which the plants are taken to the planters, 

 who with trowels draw the soil forward to make the 

 hole. Each plant with all its roots is placed well in, 

 and a man or boy following with the water-pot gently 

 waters. 



I like to plant as soon as a trench is ready, so that if 

 it be sunny weather the soil does not become dry before 

 planting. This may seem a small matter to some, but 

 no one can plant anything properly in dusty soil. I have 

 seen it advised that the plants be shaded with boughs. 

 This is probably necessary when drawn-up plants are 

 planted, for long watery leaves will flag, and when such 

 go down they remain down for a considerable time if 

 the weather is hot. Such plants simply are a reproach 

 to the owner I would say grower, were it not absurd. 

 I have also seen plants cropped off, I mean the leaves 

 cut off, so that they should not flag. I need not 

 comment on this. The reason for this again is that two 

 plants had been grown where room was for one only. 

 This vice of overcrowding is one of the greatest in 

 horticulture. 



Should the weather be dry, water must be given, but 

 not necessarily often. Whenever it is given, immediately 

 cover up the watered soil with an inch or a little more 

 of the dry soil; this will prevent the sun from raising it 

 and save much labour. The dry earth will shut in the 

 moisture ; this hint applies to other plants as well. I 

 have known many people carry the water-pots a long 

 distance to water plants every night, whereas if one good 

 soaking were given, and a little earth drawn up around 

 the plant in order to prevent the sun drying up the water 

 the next day, much labour would be saved. If when 

 watering takes place an application of manure water be 

 given occasionally, so much the better. If used too strong, 

 however, this will encourage spongy and coarse growth, 



