THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 249 



Do not be discouraged at the rather slow growth 

 during the hot days of July and early August. 

 You have only to keep the ground clean and 

 mellow by frequent hoeings until the nights grow 

 cooler and longer, and rains thoroughly moisten 

 the soil. About the middle of August the plants 

 should be thrifty and spreading, and now require 

 the first operation, which will make them crisp and 

 white or golden for the table. Gather up the 

 stalks and foliage of each plant closely in the left 

 hand, and with the right draw up the earth round 

 it. Let no soil tumble in on the heart to soil or 

 cause decay. Press the soil firmly, so as to keep 

 all the leaves in an upright position. Then with 

 a hoe draw up more soil, until the banking process 

 is begun. During September and October the 

 plants will grow rapidly, and in order to blanch 

 them they must be earthed up from time to time, 

 always keeping the stalks close and compact, with 

 no soil falling in on the developing part. By the 

 end of October the growth is practically made, 

 and only the deep green leaves rest on the high 

 embankments. The celery now should be fit for 

 use, and time for winter storing is near. In our 

 region it is not safe to leave celery unprotected 

 after the tenth of November, for although it is 

 a very hardy plant, it will not endure a frost which 

 produces a strong crust of frozen soil. I once 



