THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 279 



some time before blanching. Among the methods of applying the 

 water, the most simple and usually the most desirable practice, espe- 

 cially where the surface of the soil is even, is to run the water along 

 the rows by means of small furrows, 8 or 10 inches distant on either 

 side of the row. This method is well adapted to use on a gentle slope 

 with the rows running up and down the incline. When the water is 

 sprinkled over the entire surface it should be done late in the day, 

 so that the soil may, during the night, absorb the moisture and 

 prevent a crust being formed, as would be the case were the water 

 applied under the direct heat of the sun. 



Growing Without Irrigation. For a home supply of celery it is 

 often possible to select a rather moist but well-drained piece of land 

 whereon it may be grown without artificial watering. In this case 

 the plants should be set while the atmosphere is filled with moisture, 

 preferably between gentle showers, and the moisture afterwards re- 

 tained in the soil by frequent shallow cultivation or by the applica- 

 tion of a mulch around the plants. This method can not be followed 

 in climates where irrigation is necessary for the production of crops, 

 but is applicable in regions that have an ordinary rainfall during the 

 growing season. 



Planting. For domestic use, where plenty of land is available, 

 it will be found most economical to plant in single or double rows 

 4, 5 or 6 feet apart, with the plants 5 or 6 inches apart in the row. If 

 the space is limited, solid beds about 5 feet wide will be found suit- 

 able, with the plants set 7 or 8 inches apart each way. By planting 

 in rows the crop may be worked with a horse cultivator or a wheel 

 hoe and the banking more easily done, and thus the cost of produc- 

 tion is lessened. With the solid-bed system the work must all be 

 done by hand. If possible, the planting should be done when the 

 soil is rather moist and the atmospheric conditions suitable to the sub- 

 sistence of the plants until the roots can again furnish sufficient 

 moisture to supply them. The bed should be thoroughly watered a 

 few hours before the plants are removed, and a knife or trowel 

 should be run between the plants so that they may be lifted with a 

 clump of earth and with most of their roots attached. 



Mulching. In muck soils it will not be found necessary to mulch 

 the ground around the plants after setting, but some kind of a cover- 

 ing is desirable on sandy and clay soils. As soon as the plants are in 

 position and before any water is applied, cover the ground for a dis- 

 tance of 8 or 10 inches on either side with any finely divided material 

 that will shade the top of the soil and prevent a crust being formed 

 after watering; half-rotted manure is preferable for this, as it aids 

 the growth by its fertilizing qualities. Good celery can be grown on 

 clay upland with but one watering at the time of planting pro- 

 vided that plenty of mulch is applied as soon as the plants are set. 

 The roots of celery, after it is once transplanted, run close to the sur- 

 face, and the mulch will protect them from the heat of the sun. 

 Among materials that may be used for a mulch may be mentioned 

 pine needles, leaves of any kind, straw, cornstalks run through the 

 cutter, clippings from the lawn, etc., none of which, however, are as 



