320 



VEGETABLE GARDENING 



ducers find this a necessary practice. The roots may be 

 cut off straight near the base of the stalks or tapered 

 rapidly to a blunt point, the latter method being neces- 

 sary when bunching flat as shown in Figure 79. 



The flat method of bunching, i. e., the tying of three 

 or four plants together, is popular on some of the eastern 

 markets. The butts are always tied first, to give the 

 spreading and arched appearance of the stalks, as illus- 



n 



FIG. 79. CELERY BUNCHED FOR MARKET. A ROUND 

 BUNCH OF ONE DOZEN PLANTS ON THE LEFT, AND 

 A FLAT BUNCH OF THREE PLANTS ON THE RIGHT. 



trated in Figure 79. Many local growers prefer to tie 

 in round bunches containing three or four plants, while 

 the most extensive shippers tie in round or rectangular 

 bunches of a dozen plants. Although jute is used by 

 some growers in tying, pink, red or blue tape made for 

 the purpose is very generally employed. 



The washing may be done before or after tying, the 

 more general practice being to wash before bunching. 



