CHAPTER VII 



Cultivation 



Frequency of Cultivation. — Frequent, shallow 

 cultivation should be practiced from the time the 

 plants are set in field or garden until the blanching 

 process is well under way. At first the cultivation 

 may be quite near the plants, but after active 

 growth begins the roots of celery are to be found 

 close to the surface and the cultivation should not 

 be so deep or near the plants. The rule should be 

 to stir the surface once each week in dry weather, 

 and as soon after showers or watering as the soil 

 is dry enough to work, in order that the air may 

 enter the soil freely. 



In a short time after the celery is planted in the 

 field it will be necessary to give at least one careful 

 hand working to remove the weeds and loosen the 

 soil around the plants. After the plants become 

 large enough to shade the soil there will be no 

 further difificulty with weeds near the row, and 

 frequent cultivation will keep the middles clean. 

 The effects of drouth may in most cases be met by 

 frequent shallow cultivation, supplemented by the 

 use of water if available. 



Tools Adapted to Celery Cultivation.— For the 

 growing of the home supply of celery special tools 

 will not be required and the work can be performed 

 by means of implements ordinarily used for culti- 



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