MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 109 



bed, planting at 14 inches apart. This is quite close 

 enough for the permanent plants. The after-treat- 

 ment consists in keeping the beds clean, and the 

 removal of withered material in autumn ; applying 

 basic slag or bone flour every second winter, and 

 potash and sulphate of ammonia every spring along 

 with a light dressing of salt. An occasional dusting 

 with soot is also beneficial. A mulch of decayed 

 manure, applied as above indicated, need be given 

 only once in two or three years, unless the soil is 

 poor. No cutting should be done until the third 

 year after sowing. If well made in the first in- 

 stance, an asparagus bed will last a large number of 

 years with proper treatment. 



Reading Giant and Connover's Colossal are good 

 varieties. 



Celeriac. 

 Botanical Name : Apium graveolens rapaceum. 



This is a turnip-rooted variety of ordinary celery, 

 and is grown for the swollen root or knob. The 

 roots keep well when stored in the autumn, and make 

 a useful contribution to the winter supply of vege- 

 tables. 



It requires to be sown in boxes, and brought on 

 like ordinary celery for planting out in May or early 

 in June. The ground must be deeply dug and well 

 manured. Plant out 18 inches between the rows and 

 12 inches between the plants. Hoe frequently, and 

 water freely in dry weather. Apply a dusting of 

 sulphate of ammonia two or three times during the 



