CELERY 119 



and about a fortnight afterwards the operation is 

 again performed. This time, however, the space 

 between the rows is filled up with soil so that the 

 stems are completely buried except for the leaves 

 at the top. These stick out 5 or 6 in. above the 

 soil, and as long as growth continues they carry on 

 the work of assimilation. When danger from frost 

 is feared the plants are covered with straw or litter, 

 or mats, for protection at night, taking care, however, 

 to uncover them as early as possible in the morning. 

 About three or four weeks after the final earthing up 

 the Celery will be fit for use, and will keep in good 

 condition in the trenches until the end of February. 



A third method of blanching Celery where it is grown 

 is practised in the neighbourhoods of Meaux and 

 Viroflay. Celery is planted in every other bed, and 

 in the intervening spaces crops of Lettuces, Endive, 

 Chicory, or some other vegetable are grown during 

 the summer months. They must, however, be taken 

 off the ground by September, as the soil on which they 

 have been growing will then be required to " earth up " 

 the Celery on each side. The work is best done on 

 two occasions, with an interval of about a fortnight 

 between ; the stems are then firmer and of a better 

 flavour than if earthed up completely at one operation. 



The English method of growing Celery is also 

 adopted in some places. Trenches about a yard wide 

 and 6 to 12 in. deep are prepared. In May or June 

 two rows of Celery are planted in each trench. In 

 due course the plants are " earthed up " by having 

 the soil from the sides of the trench brought up to 

 the stems in the course of two or three different opera- 

 tions. If necessary the stems are tied up, and any 



