CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 311 



Sandy loams and heavy soils require frequent and thor- 

 ough harrowing. A smoothing harrow and a plank drag 

 or leveler should be used to make the soil fine and smooth 

 before planting. 



405. Fertilizing. In making plans for the fertilizing 

 of this crop the grower should bear in mind, (i) that the 

 plants are shallow rooted; (2) that they prefer soils 

 abounding in vegetable matter; (3) that rapid growth 

 is essential to high quality, for plants which grow slowly 

 are not so crisp, sweet and tender. 



Stable manures are undoubtedly the best fertilizers for 

 celery, because they not only supply plant food, but 

 also humus. Irrespective of soil type or location, all 

 growers use manure if it can be obtained at reasonable 

 prices. Horse manure is most generally employed, al- 

 though cow manure is preferred by some gardeners. The 

 amount of manure to the acre varies from 10 to 50 tons, 

 Many of the most intensive growers, who figure upon 

 gross returns of not less than $1,000 an acre, apply at 

 least 50 tons, but excellent results may be secured with 

 half this amount if supplemented with commercial ferti- 

 lizers. Ten tons annually on muck lands may produce 

 good results, but the largest profits are seldom, if ever, 

 secured without the free use of stable manures. 



Rotten manure is preferred by many growers while 

 others make winter applications of fresh manures. When 

 the latter plan is practiced the manure should be chopped 

 up and thoroughly mixed with the soil by a disk harrow 

 before plowing. The best results from rotten manure 

 are obtained from dressings applied after plowing, the 

 most approved plan being to spread broadcast. For- 

 merly, many growers bedded the manure in trenches or 

 furrows before planting, and some continue the practice. 

 Mulching with manure is described later. 



406. Commercial fertilizers. While some sections 

 rely wholly upon stable manure, high-grade commercial 



