The Culture of Vegetables 



plants are put in across the bed in rows a foot apart, and the plants 

 six inches apart in the rows. Water must be given to each row as 

 planted, and the surface must be several times chopped over with 

 the hoe or a small fork, and watering repeated until the plants have 

 made a start. The bed system is not only economical, but con- 

 venient for sheltering in winter, and should have the attention of 

 gardeners who are expected to supply abundance of Celery through- 

 out the winter and spring, for in such cases a large sample is not 

 required, but quality and continuance are of great importance. 



Earthing up is often performed in a rough way, as though the 

 plant were made of wood instead of the most delicate tissue. The 

 first earthing should be done with a trowel, and quite loosely, to 

 allow the heart of the plant room to expand. The result should be 

 a little ring of light earth scarcely pressing the outside leaves, and 

 leaving the whole plant as free as it was before. In the course of 

 ten days the earthing must be carried a stage further by means of 

 the spade. Chop the earth over, and lay it in heaps on each side 

 of the plant. Then gather a plant together with both hands, liberate 

 one hand, and with it bring the earth to the plant half round the 

 base, and, changing hands, pack up the earth on the other side. 

 Be careful not to press the soil very close ; also avoid putting any 

 crumbs into the heart of the plant; and do not earth higher 

 than the tops of the leaves next the outside ones. Rather less than 

 that depth is desirable in this second earthing. The centre of the 

 plant should still be free to expand, and for the inmost leaves to 

 rise. In another ten days repeat this process, carrying the earth a 

 stage higher ; and in a week from this finish the operation. 



The top of the plant must now be closed, and the earth carefully 

 packed so high that only the very tops of the leaves are visible. 

 Finish to a proper slope with the spade, but do not press the plants 

 unduly, the object being simply to obtain a final growth of the inner- 

 most leaves in darkness, but otherwise free from restraint. 



It is a great point to keep Celery unhurt by frost far on in the 

 winter, and the advantage of growing the late crops on dry light soil, 

 and on the bed system, will be seen in the ease with which it can be 

 preserved. On heavy soil Celery soon suffers from frost, but not so 

 readily on a soil naturally light and dry. Moreover, the bed system 

 is convenient for the adoption of rough means of protection, with 

 whatever materials are at command. In heavy soil fine crops of 

 Celery for autumn use may be grown, but in consequence of the 

 liability of the plant to suffer by winter damp, it is advisable to plant 



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