88 CULTURE OF CELERY 



the earthings up at all times. As we have a thirsty plant 

 to deal with, this first earthing must not as in so many 

 cases be high. I consider three earthings sufficient, the 

 last not to be done till the end of October for the general 

 or winter crop. Even then see that the earth does not 

 get to the hearts, for many people, thinking to exclude 

 frost, will recklessly cover the plants, so that the whole 

 is nearly hidden under the soil. Should sharp weather 

 occur, bracken fern is the best of all things to use, and 

 earth on the top the worst. 



I will now deal with the exhibition lot. The same 

 work will have to be done here as for the general crop ; 

 but the plants, having been prepared earlier, will of 

 course be put out earlier, and a little extra care be- 

 stowed. The plants must have a little extra room, 

 about fourteen inches from plant to plant being a good 

 allowance. See that no worms are in the manure used, 

 and of this an extra inch or so may be dug in rather 

 deeply, because as all growth will have to be made in 

 hot weather it will be well to encourage the roots to go 

 down in search of food. The plants, being well pre- 

 prepared, should by the middle of May be planted in 

 these well-prepared trenches, which might also be a 

 little deeper, say by two inches, than for the general 

 crop. See that no suckers spring up, and remove 

 early any which may appear. Each watering must be 

 thorough, drawing over the surface the dry earth as 

 before advised. Weak guano water can be used with 

 excellent results. Place in a barrel or tub holding say 

 thirty-six gallons, two pounds of guano, a gallon of 

 soot, and a little lime, fill up with water, and stir. If 

 the soot be put in a coarse bag and kept under, it will 

 be much better than putting it in loose. In the space of 

 a fortnight this mixture will be ready to use, and one- 

 third of this to two of clean water will be strong 

 enough. This might be used once a fortnight, a water- 



