Vegetables with Edible Leaves or Stems 113 



form. Care should be exercised to keep the weeds out by 

 cultivating and weeding. (See upper figure, Plate V.) 



A celery bed should be cultivated at least every week; 

 and while the weeds are still in the seed-leaves, they 

 should be weeded out. If the plants tend to become 

 spindly, the tops should be sheared off and the leaves 

 will grow stocky. Crowding the plants in the row makes 

 them send out a strong down-growing root that might be 

 called a tap-root. If the plants are not crowded, the roots 

 spread out upon the surface, and are constantly subject 

 to slight droughts. In the case of a strong central root 

 system, the plants are nourished from the portion of the 

 soil that is constantly moist. Another decided advantage 

 is that they may be transplanted with less injury to the 

 root system. 



Transplanting celery. 



However cheap plants may be in the market, it is pref- 

 erable to grow one's own plants. However, sometimes 

 it happens that celery plants must be bought or the crop 

 abandoned for that year. If one has to buy plants from 

 a distance, the land must be quite ready to receive them 

 when they arrive. If there happens to be a dry spell, 

 the plants must be put into a bed where they can be shaded, 

 and water in abundance supplied. A number of the 

 plants can then be set out, from time to time, as one is 

 able to take care of them. The setting out must not be de- 

 layed, for the plants will soon form roots from the re- 

 serve material within them ; and if this has to be done 

 the second time, it will be a severe draft on the plant. 

 If one has raised his own plants, he may delay 



