MAY] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 393 



room to grow large ; but the main crops should be thinned at once 

 to the proper distances. 



PRICKING OUT AND PLANTING CELERY. 



Some of the early celery plants from the seed-beds should now 

 be pricked out to obtain strength previous to a final planting in 

 trenches; by this method those left in the beds will have room to 

 grow strong and stout. They should be planted at the distance of 

 three inches from one another, in beds of rich loose earth, watered 

 immediately, and afterwards occasionally, till growing freely. When 

 they have acquired sufficient strength in these beds they are to be 

 planted in trenches for full growth, as directed in June. 



Let those remaining in the seed-beds be watered to settle the earth 

 about their roots, which had been loosened in the act of pulling out 

 the others. 



When of sufficient size and strength, plant out into trenches some 

 of your earliest sown plants, as directed in the Kitchen Garden for 

 June. 



For the best method of obtaining celery in early perfection, with- 

 out the assistance of a hot-bed, see page 336. 



SOWING CELERY SEED. 



Sow more celery seed for a principal later crop ; let this be done 

 as directed on page 336. In hot sunny weather the shading of the 

 bed with mats, raised a foot or more above the ground, from ten to 

 four o'clock, would greatly facilitate the growth of the seed. Occa- 

 sional waterings also will be very serviceable, and in a dry season 

 indispensable. 



ASPARAGUS. 



Asparagus is in the best state for cutting when the shoots are from 

 two to four inches above ground, and the top buds or heads remain- 

 ing close and compact; soon after they become open and of less esti- 

 mation. For the proper method of cutting them, see page 201. 



Keep the asparagus beds perfectly free from weeds, and let it be 

 remembered to terminate the general cutting as soon as you perceive 

 the coming-up roots begin to appear small or weaker than usual; 

 for, if the cutting be continued too late in the season, it will greatly 

 exhaust the roots, and the next and succeeding years' produce will 

 be diminished in proportion. 



BEETS. 



Weed or hoe your early crops of beets, and thin them, if in beds, 

 to one foot asunder, or, if in drills, to eight or nine inches, plant 

 from plant. Continue to sow more, especially of the turnip-rooted 

 and long red beet, for a succession crop, which will succeed very well 

 if sown in the early part of the month. A full and abundant supply 



