CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 313 



mark the place for each plant, to secure uniformity in 

 spacing". They relieve the foreman of the annoyance 

 of looking after this matter. 



Planting distances are extremely variable. If soil is 

 to be used in blanching, the distance between rows must 

 be not less than 3^ feet; 5 feet is the more common 

 spacing, especially for the tall green varieties. Some- 

 times an early variety, as Golden Self-Blanching, is 

 planted in alternate rows. This variety is blanched by 

 means of boards. The distance in this case need not be 

 more than 30 inches. After the early crop is sold there 

 is ample space to blanch the late crop with soil. When 

 boards or other devices are used for blanching the spac- 

 ing between rows varies from 18 inches to 3 feet. In 

 the most intensive plantations where boards are used, 

 the distance between rows is usually from 20 to 24 

 inches. The standard distance between plants in the 

 row is 6 inches, although there is a decided tendency to 

 plant closer. Some of the best growers plant the early 

 varieties only 4 inches apart and allow 24 inches between 

 rows. At these distances 65,000 plants are required for 

 an acre. 



Double row planting is practiced occasionally. With 

 this method the rows are about 6 inches apart, and either 

 earth or boards may be used in blanching. 



When the plants are set very close together both 

 ways, as 8 x 8 inches, or closer, the method is known 

 as "the new celery culture." Like other intensive 

 methods, it is adapted to only very fertile lands where 

 the supply of moisture can be maintained. With this 

 plan there are usually 5 to 10 rows in a bed with 2-foot 

 alleys between them. When all the points are consid- 

 ered, it is better to plant 4 x 24 inches apart, so that a wheel 

 hoe can be used in cultivating. Close planting is not so 

 well adapted to the green varieties because of the greater 

 difficulty in blanching. 



