CELERY 



381 





inches, after the weather is bright and warm, in May 

 or June, and after the soil has been thoroughly pre- 

 pared, the ground may be marked off for rows three to 

 four feet apart, and the plants set five inches apart in 

 the row. They need to be liberally watered and fertilized, 

 but fermenting manures must be avoided. The rows also 

 need the most careful weeding and hoeing, especially at 

 first. 



When the plants are nearly full grown, the blanch- 

 ing may be begun. The older method consists in drawing 

 up a quantity of loose soil about the 

 plants, holding each one in the hand 

 as it is embanked, and being careful 

 to keep the earth from falling into 

 the celery head. A more modern 

 way is to set up boards on either side 

 of the row, fastening them in place 

 so as to keep out the sunshine. With 

 the self-blanching sorts, which are 

 now mostly grown, this method is 

 easy of practice. Another method 

 consists ,in setting plants of self- 

 blanching varieties eight or ten 252. Storing celery 

 inches apart each way in solid blocks, in a trench - 



fertilizing and watering heavily, and depending upon 

 the shading of the crowded plants to do the necessary 

 blanching. 



Varieties most popular are White Plume, Pink Plume, 

 Golden Self-blanching, Giant Pascal and Golden Heart. 

 (Consult Greiner's "Celery for Profit," and Kinney's 

 Bulletin 44, Rhode Island Experiment Station.) 



There are various methods of storing celery. (Consult 

 Horticulturist's Rule-Book, 4th ed., and Bulletins, Cornell 

 Exp. Sta.) It may be taken up in late fall and planted 

 close together in trenches (Fig. 252), and then covered 

 with boards; or wider trenches or pits may be made, 



