SOWING AND PLANTING 29 



the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick out from 

 the early sowing to 6 inches apart into a frame in which 

 good rotten dung, leaf mould, and loam have been well 

 mixed together and laid to a depth of several inches ; 

 water and shade them for a few days, encourage ' stocky ' 

 growth in the plants by giving them air on all favourable 

 occasions. High temperature and sudden changes tend 

 to produce ' bolting ' of the plants. During the growth 

 of the plants the trenches into which they have to go 

 must be prepared. Many systems are recommended. 

 We find that if trenches are marked out 3 feet apart, 

 about 15 inches wide and 12 inches deep, and 6 inches 

 of this is filled in with a mixture, thoroughly made, of 

 rotten manure, leaf mould, and surface soil, the results 

 are as satisfactory as with more elaborate methods. 

 When transplanting into the trenches one must first see 

 that the soil in the trenches, as well as that in which the 

 plants are growing, is nice and moist. If there seems a 

 tendency to dryness give a thorough soaking the day 

 before planting out. Lift the plants carefully with a 

 trowel and plant about 8 inches apart in the trench. 

 After planting out give the plants a good watering and 

 shade for a few days. During the summer the plants 

 should be well watered, and liquid manure, both farm- 

 yard and chemical, should be supplied. Do not begin 

 to * earth up ' the plants until the growth [is practically 

 completed . The edible part of the celery is the blanched 

 leaf-stalk. The ' blanching ' or * earthing up ' is done 

 either by putting and pressing finely powdered soil 

 round the plants, taking care that none of it gets into 

 the heart of the plant, or by putting strong paper round 

 each plant. It takes from six to eight weeks to properly 

 blanch the leaf -stalks. 



