CHAPTER XVI 



CELERY AND CELERIAC 



Celery is not a difficult vegetable to grow, yet few crops 

 raised by amateurs prove less satisfactory. Why this 

 is so we are at a loss to understand, but it is probably 

 because this esculent requires regular and careful 

 attention over a long period of the year. 



The grower who wishes to have the satisfaction of 

 placing nice crisp heads of his own rearing on the table 

 between October and February should commence 

 preparations early in March. The first requisite will be 

 two or three shallow boxes. These are filled with some 

 light rich loam and the seed is sown just below the sur- 

 face. A sprinkling with the water-can may be necessary 

 now and then, but, in the early stages, this should be 

 given with caution. The boxes are placed in a warm 

 greenhouse where they will get plenty of light or on a 

 mild hot-bed covered by a garden frame. 



When the seedlings are large enough to handle they 

 are transplanted to other boxes where much more room 

 will be available for them. Here they should make great 

 strides, especially if kept close to the glass, moistened 

 occasionally, shaded when the weather is warm, and given 

 fresh ak at times. 



By the end of May, the grower should begin to make 

 plans for bedding out and, in the meantime, it will be 



