CELERY. 59 



tallest eighteen inches in height. By get- 

 ting a large root the plant gives me larger 

 stalks, and three or four at a time ; 

 whereas, by the old plan of hilling, this 

 hardy growth is prevented, but one stalk 

 is produced at a time, and that a small 

 one. Another reason for deferring the 

 first banking up until the ten long stalks 

 are put forth, is, that the outer ones form 

 around the heart a complete curb, or 

 fence, against the access of soil, which 

 would produce rust and make my crop 

 like that of a thousand other gardeners. 

 Besides, I give the plant as much greater 

 ability to collect moisture for its use as 

 ten stalks are a greater number than 

 three or four, and by so much diminish 

 the liability to turn bitter. I can not 

 urge too strongly this having a number 



