Cultural Directions. 179 



Common drain tile, 4 or 5 inches in the clear, are some- 

 times used and recommended for bleaching celery; but this 

 method does not always give satisfaction. I have thought to 

 improve on it, and had some " bleachers " made, 5 or 6 inches 

 high, with 5 inches inside diameter, in shape like bottomless 

 flower-pots. These are placed over the plants, one only for each 

 plant of the self-blanching kinds, and two, or even three one 

 above the other for each plant of the common sorts. This 



Blanching by Boards. 



method in its different phases is illustrated on next page. 

 I have had good success with it, and grown some fine blanched 

 celery ; but it seems to me that the expense connected with the 

 purchase and breakage of the pots, and the labor required for 

 storing and taking to and off the field, must prevent the more 

 extensive or general use of this method. 



Early in the season, and while the plants are yet growing 

 rapidly, celery bleaches beautifully in from 2 to 3 weeks after 

 banking or boarding up, and is then in first-class condition for 

 use or market. Later it will take 4 or 5 weeks, perhaps even 

 more, to bring the plants out in marketable shape. 



PREPARING FOR MARKET. When the crop is ready for 

 market, draw the soil away from the plants desired, take hold of 

 the top with one hand and pull, at same time prying under the 

 root with a spade. Thus one plant after another is easily lifted 

 out without breaking a stalk. Shake the soil off the roots, and 

 take the plants to the vegetable house, to be properly prepared 

 for sale. Trim the main root smoothly with three or four 

 sloping cuts ; remove the coarse outer leaves, and on one side 

 open the stalks sufficiently to expose the heart in its tempting 

 whiteness. From three to five, or even six of such plants, 

 according to size, are then tied in a neat flat bunch, the exposed 

 hearts all showing on one of the flat sides. The price depends 

 very much on the tempting appearance of the bunches, on neat 

 trimming and skillful tying. Such a bunch, properly put up is 

 shown on page 181. Of course the plants when dug should be 



