36 GARDENING 



done by the help of two light boards six to eight 

 inches broad, of the same length as the trench is 

 wide, these to be placed between two of the rows 

 of plants ; then place between these boards well- 

 broken earth as required, then draw up the boards 

 steadily, do the same in the next space, and so on 

 till all is completed.' 



He says also : ' By this method more than double 

 the quantity can be grown in a given space of 

 ground, and it is handy for protection in winter, 

 either with hoops and mats or litter.' 



During the winter celery keeps in good condi- 

 tion if well covered up with long litter, removing it 

 in all favourable w^eathers. 



If there is an appearance of very severe weather 

 three or four dozen of the celery may be dug up 

 and laid in dry earth, sand, or sifted coal ashes, where 

 it will keep good some time. Celery is liable to 

 have its stalks split and canker if the soil is very 

 wet and heavy ; therefore for earthing it up the 

 soil should be light and dry. 



The Celery Fly is a great enemy to this plant, 

 and causes part of the leaves to blister and turn 

 yellow, which checks their growth terribly. Beneath 

 the blistered parts small green grubs will be found 

 on examination, which are the larvae of the 

 Celery Fly, and are mostly to be found from June 

 till November. 



The withered leaves should be picked off and 

 crushed so as to destroy the grubs within them. 



The ' Cottage Gardener ' describes the Celery 

 Fly as one of the most beautiful of the two-winged 

 flies, and is fond of hovering over flowers and laurel 

 bushes, and resting on palings in the sunshine, from 

 the middle of May to the end of July. 



