THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 259 



Harvesting. Cut the heads as soon as they are well 

 formed. Light frosts do not injure cauliflower, but it 

 cannot be kept over winter. Keeping causes it to lose 

 its delicate flavor. 



Diseases and pests. (See under "The Cabbage.") 



CELERY 



Varieties. The early varieties are known as " self- 

 blanching." The peculiarity of the self -blanching kinds 

 is that the inner leaves and heart are whiter than in the 

 later ones ; this makes the process of blanching easier 

 during the summer months. The late varieties grow 

 taller stalks and require more attention in blanching. 

 After blanching, the celery stalks vary in color from 

 white to rose color or golden yellow. 



Plants. Sow the early celery in a box or cold frame 

 in February or March. Merely press the seeds into the 

 soil and keep them covered with a glass until the plants 

 appear. Sow for the late crop in a moist seed bed when 

 the ground is in good condition. Sow the seed thickly, 

 a quarter of an inch deep, in drills six inches apart. If 

 the ground becomes dry or has a tendency to form a 

 hard crust, keep a cloth or a gunny bag over the seed 

 bed until the plants come up. 



Transplanting. Thin the plants so that they will stand 

 an inch apart in the row soon after they are well started. 

 Transplant them after the third leaf makes its appear- 

 ance. Pinch off the taproot, in order to start a strong 



