52 VEGETABLE GROWING IX NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Trench-planting. -In this system the furrows should be set out at a distance 

 of 4 feet apart, and the plants put in at a distance of 6 to 8 inches in the 

 trenches. The bottom of the furrows should be loosened and given an appli- 

 cation of stable manure, and the furrows made wide at the top, so that the 

 earth will not fall into them and cover the young plants. On large areas the 

 double moukjboard plough will be found most useful in making the trenches. 



The blanching is done by gradually filling up the tienches as the plants 

 grow, allowing them to attain a height of 1 foot before commencing to earth 

 up, and taking care that no soil gets into the heart of the plant. As 

 the plants develop further bankings can be made. This operation should 

 alwavs be carried out in dry weather. 



Level^planting. By this method the crop is planted on the ordinary soil 

 level and allowed to grow to its full height, before commencing to blanch. 

 The blanching is done by means of boards placed along each side of the rows 

 when the plants are high enough to show their tops above them. The boards 

 should be about 1 foot wide, and in lengths of 12 to 14 feet. They are 

 held in position by means of stakes driven into the soil, and by slats nailed 

 across the tops of the boards so as to leave H or 4 inches between them at 

 the top, and a slightly greater distance at the bottom. Where the crop is 

 blanched in this way the rows are planted at a closer distance usually 30 

 inches to 3 feet apart, and self-blanching varieties used. 



Level Bed or New Celery Culture. This method of planting consists of setting 

 the plants very closely in beds, usually about 6 to 8 inches apart each way. 

 The beds are made long and narrow, not more than 6 feet wide, so that they 

 may be weeded from each side. Under such intense culture exceedingly 

 heavy manuring is necessary, and liquid manure should be applied occasionally. 

 The plants, when partly grown, form one dense mass, totally shading the soil 

 in the centre of the bed Towards maturity, the outside of the beds are 

 boarded up so as to totally exclude the light, and if the plants have been well 

 grown it will be found that they are as well blanched as if grown in single- 

 "boarded rows. 



It is usual to allow from two to three weeks under both the boarding systems 

 for the blanching. Other means such as drain pipes, small casks and paper 

 bands are applicable to small gardens. 



When properly blanched the plants can be lifted as required, and after 

 .any discoloured outer stalks have been pulled off the roots should be trimmed 

 and washed, and the head tied into bunch form. 



Celery is a crop that must not receive a check in its growth, and for this 

 reason low-land soils, where the water table is not far below the surface, are 

 suitable for it. 



