2O6 



GARDEN FARMING 



plow being guided so as to bring the land side close to the plants. 

 Boxes or trays are then scattered along the rows, and the celery is 

 gathered by men who bend the plants toward the open furrow, 

 at the same time pulling them gently to free them, after which 

 they are carefully placed in the trays. Celery lifted in this way will 

 be fit for storing or for immediate shipment. If the crop is being 

 harvested on an extensive scale for immediate shipment, a digger 

 which operates in much the same way as a tree digger is run under 

 the plants to loosen and cut off a portion of the root. There is 



FIG. 78. Celery cutter used in large commercial fields 



now on the market a hand celery cutter, but in the extensive celery 

 fields of California the homemade device shown in figure 78 is 

 used. This implement is a great labor-saver but is adapted only 

 to extensive areas. 



Celery grown for local consumption is planted in succession, so 

 as to be available for the market from June or July until late fall 

 or winter, depending upon storage facilities. When grown for the 

 local market, only so much as will be required for a given harvest 

 period is banked or blanched at one time. Celery cannot be kept 

 in good condition for a long period after it has been blanched, 



