Cultural Directions. 181 



before January, need protection. During forepart of December 

 boards a foot wide are laid in single line directly upon the trench, 

 resting with an inch or two on the sides, and in the centre per- 

 haps directly upon the foliage. When a cold night is expected 

 a few inches of soil are drawn or shovelled upon the boards and 

 allowed to freeze. Afterwards (early in the morning) litter of 

 some sort is put over this crust to keep the, frost in ; and this 

 covering, during severe weather, must be increased to perhaps a 

 foot in thickness. 



Celery kept in such trenches generally comes out beautifully 

 bleached, crisp and tender. The chief point is thorough drainage^ 

 for if water is allowed 

 to stand in the trench, 

 celery is sure to rot. 

 The trench method is 

 probably the best, sim- 

 plest and safest for a 

 mild climate like that 

 of New Jersey ; but in 

 colder localities I would 

 give a genuine root 

 cellar the preference. 

 This gives us easy 

 access to the crop at 

 any time when wanted, 

 and when it would not 

 be safe to open a trench 

 or expose the plants 

 even for the shortest 

 period outdoors. A 

 dug-out in a hill-side, 

 covered over with a 

 substantial roofing of 

 rails, poles, litter and a 

 foot of soil, will answer 

 quite well. Celery 

 houses similarly con- 

 structed on the level are used quite extensively by the large 

 growers near Rochester, N. Y., and elsewhere. 



Mr. Theo. F. Baker, of South Jersey makes use of a struc- 

 ture of this kind, and says it proves a great convenience, keeping 

 the celery in perfect condition almost any length of time, and 

 saving him a large amount of labor. The stock can be inspected 

 at any time, taken out in cold and rainy weather, or at night, at 

 pleasure, cleaned, washed and packed all under the same roof. 

 Celery once handled can there be bleached in three weeks, and 

 be free from rust or earthy flavor. 



Bunch of Celery ready for Market. 



