78 TRUCK FARMING 



over the entire bed, after sowing the seed, and left there until 

 the seed has sprouted (generally two weeks), which depends on 

 the humidity of the atmosphere at the time and the germinating 

 condition of the seed itself. This cover is removed during the 

 night and replaced in the daytime. As soon as the first plants 

 show their seed leaves above the ground, copious waterings are 

 given until transplanting time. 



Lettuce is often planted between the rows of celery and a 

 remunerative crop is often grown as an auxiliary in this way. 



From 900 to 1,200 crates are grown per acre by the best grow- 

 ers. Six hundred pounds of "Blood and Bone" fertilizer are 

 worked in by some of the best growers every ten days after plant- 

 ing. The fertilizer used is largely compost or "Blood and 

 Bone" with sulphate of potash and a little acid phosphate added 

 occasionally. 



For blanching, boards ten inches in width are used, they being 

 placed against the sides of the celery rows when they are about 

 ten inches high. A space of about four to six inches is left between 

 the boards for the celery to grow up and blanch in, this according 

 to the size and diameter of the plants themselves. It is figured by 

 the best growers that the cost of production per crate will average, 

 including the crates themselves, about 40 to 50 cents per crate, and 

 $i is considered a very remunerative price to sell at, though often 

 twice this sum is realized for the product. Celery crates are 

 8x20x27 inches, outside measurement, and cost about 12 cents each 

 at retail. It requires eighteen men to cut, pack and load a car of 

 celery in a single day; from 350 to 400 crates are packed in 

 a car. 



The celery crop can be followed by a cauliflower or bean 

 crop, which will often bring in $400 to $600 additional. 



Cucumbers are also frequently planted before or after the 

 celery, of the Early Fortune variety, from which a profit of $300 

 or $400 frequently can be realized. 



Celery is grown continuously on lands at Sanford year after 

 year. During the summer, very heavy crops of crab-grass spring 

 up on this land, and from two to three cuttings are frequently 



