128 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



rot at the heart, especially in sultry midsummer 

 weather. Therefore, start the bleaching of only 

 a part at one time. With the boards laid along 

 the row on each side, set the edges close against 

 the crown, fastening them in place with stout 

 stakes driven into the ground not much farther 

 from the plants than the thickness of the board. 

 Leave just enough room to slip the boards into 

 place. Shove them up close against the foliage, 

 keeping the leaves upright; fasten the top edges 

 with cleats or wire, leaving no more than 2 or 3 

 inches between; and, last, hoe the soil carefully 

 against the bottom to exclude every bit of light. 

 This method is widely used and the product is ex- 

 cellent celery. 



When there is sufficient room, blanching may 

 be done merely with soil. This plan involves 

 more work but it produces the best quality and 

 the finest flavor. With earth blanching, however, 

 there is especial danger of rust at the hearts, if 

 dirt gets in ; of rot at the hearts or anywhere else 

 in the plants, if water enters. The plants must 

 be dry when first handled and whenever more soil 

 is added. With dwarf varieties, begin when the 

 celery is 10 inches high ; with taller growing sorts, 

 when they are a foot high. Then sturdy healthy 

 plants will measure about a foot across. Gather 

 the bunch of spreading leaves in one hand, while 

 the soil is pressed close to the stems. Do not al- 

 low a particle of dirt to get into the hearts. To aid 



