THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 277 



rendered more retentive of moisture by the addition of lime. An 

 application of 500 to 800 pounds of common salt to the acre is con- 

 sidered desirable by some growers. Celery will take up a limited 

 quantity of salt, and its flavor is improved thereby. 



One to 2 tons of high-grade fertilizer to the acre may be profit- 

 ably applied on most soils in addition to the stable manure and lime. 

 As a rule, the quick-acting fertilizers are used, and a mixture suitable 

 for growing celery should contain about 6 per cent of nitrogen, 5 per 

 cent of available phosphoric acid, and 10 per cent of potash. 



Time and Method of Plowing. As a rule the land should be 

 plowed several weeks before planting. At the North it is desirable to 

 plow the celery land in the autumn and allow the soil to lie exposed 

 to the action of frost during the winter. At the South it will be neces- 

 sary to plow but a short time before planting. The plowing should 

 be very thorough, and in most cases with a somewhat heavier plow 

 than that generally used for other crops. 



Smoothing and Pulverizing. A few days before the land is 

 required for planting, the surface should be cut with a disk or cutting 

 harrow, followed by such tools as are necessary to pulverize the soil 

 to a depth of 5 or 6 inches. Just before planting, the land should 

 either be rolled or gone over with a float, or drag, made by nailing 

 together planks or scantlings, in order to secure an even surface for 

 planting. 



Marking Rows. The rows in which the celery plants are to be 

 set should not be marked until a short time before planting, in order 

 that the soil may remain fresh. A marking device similar to the 

 ordinary corn marker may be used, but some form of roller with a 

 number of projecting pegs to form holes in which to set the plants is 

 desirable. A device of this character can be constructed by replacing 

 the wheel of an ordinary wheelbarrow with a roller having a series 

 of pegs. 



Selection of Seed. The first and most important consideration 

 when preparing to grow a crop of celery is the securing of good seed, 

 not merely seed of which a large percentage will germinate, but that 

 having strength and vigor sufficient to give the seedling a good start. 

 As the seeds of celery are very small, it is necessary that only a small 

 percentage of the number usually sown should actually grow in order 

 to secure an abundance of plants; but as low germination and the 

 necessary vigor are seldom both to be found in the same packet of 

 seed that seed which has a high percentage of germination is prefer- 

 able. 



Sowing for an Early Crop. For sowing seed during the early 

 part of the season, the plan best suited to the requirements of the far- 

 mer or amateur grower of celery is to secure a wooden flat or tray 

 about 16 by 24 inches in size and 3 inches deep, with several small 

 holes in the bottom for drainage. After filling with sifted soil level 

 it off even with the top, and either shake down the soil oi- press it 

 down by means of a board before the seeds are sown. Either sow in 

 drills 2 inches apart or scatter broadcast, and cover the seed by 

 sprinkling through a fine sieve a very small quantity of leaf mold or 



