VEGETABLES IN TRENCHES 65 



encouragement to progress in size until they are ready to plant 

 in the trenches. 



There, is no vegetable in the garden that responds more to 

 good culture than Celery. It should be remembered that the 

 plant is a gross feeder, requiring copious supplies of water and 

 liquid manure. Plants while growing should never lack water. 

 In order to facilitate thorough watering, the trenches should 

 be formed with a slight incline from top to bottom, so that, 

 when water is poured into the trench at the top end, it runs 

 away slowly all along amongst the plants to the bottom end. 

 By this method it is impossible for superfluous water to remain 

 in the trenches. Liquid manure can be applied two or three 

 times weekly. Horse and cow manure make good fertilizers, 

 and an occasional application of weak liquid made from fowl 

 manure may also be given. Soot water is very beneficial. 

 Liquid manure must not be allowed to fall on or to splash any 

 of the leaves. 



To check green-fly and maggots, a little dry lime and soot 

 should be spread thinly over the foliage and trench ; but to 

 eradicate them successfully, a solution of soft soap and water 

 should be sprayed on to the plants. Let this remain on for a 

 day or two ; then, if dry weather prevails, clear water may be 

 used. 



Earthing-up can be commenced at any time after the plants 

 have attained adult size, choosing a time when the soil is quite 

 dry. Some growers earth-up their Celery at one operation ; 

 others proceed gradually, filling in a few inches of soil when 

 the plants are fairly strong and have got above the trenches. 

 The main earthing-up is given when the plants are nearly full 

 grown. As winter approaches the later rows should be earthed- 

 up as high as possible. A simple plan for blanching is to place 

 a drain-pipe over the plant, or to wrap the stems in brown paper 

 or similar material. When earthing-up, the left hand should 

 clasp all the stems firmly together, and, with the aid of a 

 trowel in the right hand, the soil should be worked around and 

 pressed carefully close to each plant. Good blanching usually 

 takes from five to seven weeks. 



The culture for show purposes is much the same as for table 

 vise, with the exception that extra attention is necessary in 

 watering, manuring, liquid manuring, and prevention of damage, 

 however slight, to stems and foliage. Quite three times the 

 space should be allowed the plants in the trenches at least 

 eighteen inches apart. Blanching with soil should not be done ; 

 6 



