VEGETABLES 35 



generously manured, and should be prepared some 

 time before they are wanted, as they will then be 

 in a better condition than when only dug as wanted. 

 The manure must be rich but not fresh or rank, and 

 it should be well blended with the soil in the bottom 

 of the trench. 



Plant in single rows about ten inches apart, and 

 never allow the plants to get dry ; and when the 

 growth is well advanced, give liquid manure twice 

 a week, not in driblets, but a thorough soaking. 



Earthing up. — When the plants are about 

 eighteen inches high (or less, according to variety) 

 they are ready for the first earthing up. This should 

 be done most carefully, as great damage will be 

 done by filling the hearts of each with soil, and per- 

 haps, if too moist, cause decay. To prevent this, 

 tie together the leaves with bast, which is perfectly 

 effectual. First, all the decayed leaves and suckers 

 should be removed gently, as they weaken the 

 growth of the primary root. The earth should be 

 well broken up finely before earthing up, then the 

 earth laid about the stalks of the leaves, firmly 

 pressing it down till the leaf part of the stem is 

 reached. The bast with which the leaves are tied 

 up is slightly buried under the soil ; it should be cut 

 and left. When the celery has made some growth 

 again, it should have another earthing up in the 

 same manner, and as long as the growth continues 

 it should be occasionally earthed up. 



Johnson, in his ' Gardener's Dictionary,' gives 

 very minute directions for the earthing-up process. 

 He says : ' The first earthing up should be done with 

 a small trowel, holding the leaves together in one 

 hand and stirring and drawing up a little earth to 

 the plant with the other. The next earthing up is 



