SECTION V 



VEGETABLES IN TRENCHES 



GROWING vegetables in trenches has mainly a two-fold 

 object to blanch the matured hearts, stalks, or leaves ; 

 and an adequate provision of nutriment-laden moisture. 

 Certain vegetables Celery and Leeks, for example are far 

 from eatable in their natural green state, and require con- 

 siderable blanching to become at all palatable. Others, ordi- 

 narily grown upon the level ground, are greatly benefited by 

 being planted in shallow trenches which will hold moisture or a 

 mulch in very dry weather ; Peas and Beans are examples of 

 this system of culture. Wherever the soil is prone to excessive 

 dryness, or exposed to drying winds, the utilization of trenches 

 or light depressions would probably enable crops to be grown 

 that otherwise present an utter impossibility. Strong manures, 

 preferably liquid, are the best for trench-work : soot, cow- 

 manure, guano, are three excellent fertilizers, and the first- 

 named may be used liberally. 



CELERY ( Apium graveolens). Here we have a most palatableh 

 healthful vegetable, requiring long, continuous, strenuous growt, 

 to bring to perfection, yet presenting few difficulties that cannot 

 be overcome by the gardener with a fair soil and some per- 

 severance and common sense. Celery has its drawbacks, 

 certainly^-chiefly on account of space requirements, labour, 

 and the provision of adequate supplies of nutriment-laden 

 moisture ; but these disabilities existing chiefly where there 

 is a lack of available means and materials (in which case, Celery 

 culture had better not be attempted) are well counterbalanced 

 by the advantages derived from the production of well-grown, 

 well-blanched, crisp " sticks " of Celery, upon which one may 

 depend for use in winter salads, soups, etc. ; and the fact that 



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