Celandine 



(188) 



Celery 



Propagation. By seeds sown in April in pans 

 tinder glass, the young plants being transferred to 

 their nursery quarters the next spring. Also by 

 grafting the more ornamental forms on those of 

 t lie common species in February in a propagating 

 house. Grafting on the Larch is not recommended 

 by those who have had experience. 

 "Soil. A deep, sandy soil, or one rather heavier 

 if well-drained. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 



atlantica, 80' to 100', habit pyramidal, Ivs. 

 about 0'5" long, glaucous or silvery. Branches 

 horizontal, and cones resembling those of C. Libani. 

 The var. argentea is exceedingly glaucous, and 

 is of an almost silvery whiteness. The var. aurea 

 has the young foliage of a fine golden colour, 

 changing to grn. the following year. 



Deodara, 200' to 250', in its native country, with 

 a eirth of sometimes 15' to 20'. Habit rather 

 pyramidal, and branches mostly horizontal, al- 

 though the lower ones are often depressed to 

 the ground. Lvs. from 0'75" to 1" long. The 

 vars. of Deodara are argentea, with silvery 

 foliage; aurea, with the young foliage yel., 

 changing to grn. ; crassifolia, with shorter and 

 thicker Ivs. ; robusta, with larger and stouter 

 branches ; verticillata glauca, with whorled 

 glaucous Ivs. on the young shoots; and viridis, 

 with deeper grn. foliage. 



Libani, 50' to 80' high, spreading, rather table- 

 shaped form. The Ivs. remain from three to five 

 years on the tree, and are dark grn., and from 

 0-75" to 1-25" long. The leading vars. are brevi- 

 folia, which has shorter Ivs. and smaller cones ; 

 and glauca (nyn. argentea), which has glaucous 

 foliage, particularly when old. A truly noble tree. 



CELANDINE. 



The popular name of two British wild flowers, 

 one of which, Chelidonium majus, the Greater 

 Celandine, is found on old walls and waste spots, 

 and yields when pressed a yellow juice, much 

 esteemed by country folk as a cure for corns, warts, 

 and toothache. The Lesser Celandine, Ranunculus 

 Kicaria, is a totally different plant, and grows in 

 immense numbers in moist meadows, being one of 

 the earliest flowers to greet the spring sun (see 

 BANUNCCLTJS). 



CELASTRUS. 



This genus (nrd. Celastrinese) comprises hardy 

 deciduous climbers as well as greenhouse and 

 stove evergreen shrubs. The hardy species should 

 be layered for propagation ; or seeds may be sown 

 when procurable. The shrubby species must be 

 increased from cuttings. A mixture of fibrous 

 peat, loam, and sand is suitable. 



Principal Species : 



articulatus, 15", Je., gm. lucidus, 2', My., wh. 



(gyn. Orixa of gardens Orixa (of Sieb and Zucc), 



and punctatus). 6' to 9', sum., grn. (.'/. 



buxifolius, 4', My., wh. japonica). 



<jassinoides, 5', Aug., wh. scandens, 20', My., yel. 



(correctly Gymnospora (.'/. bullatus of Lin- 



cassinoiiies). nseus). 



CELERI AC. (TURNIP-BOOTED CELERY.) 



Much hardier than ordinary Celery, and develops 

 a, base somewhat like that of a Kohl Rabi. It is 

 excellent for soups and stewing. Seed should be 

 sown in gentle heat in March. During its early 

 stages it should be treated as Celery. At planting 



out time, however, the treatment differs, as Celeriac 

 needs no trenches to bring it to perfection, but 

 will thrive on the level in rich, light soil. Plant- 

 ing should be as shallow as possible, the plants 

 allowed 18" of space all ways, and all side shoots 

 removed to throw the whole vigour of the plant 

 into one central stem. Water the plants well in, 

 never allow them to feel the need of water, and 

 when hoeing to destroy weeds remove as much soil 

 from around the plants as possible, as the more 

 the base is exposed, in reason, the finer the produce. 

 Towards the end of the season, when growth is 

 finished, cover the bulbs with a coating of dry soil, 

 and lift them early in October, when they may be 

 stored in sand until required for use. 



CELERY. 



This British wild plant (Apium graveolens, ord. 

 Umbellifene), which in its native ditches and un- 

 blanched state is credited with the possession of 

 poisonous properties, lias been so vastly improved 

 bv years of patient cultivation and selection that 

 to-day it is hardly too much to say that it ranks in 

 the first flight of garden esculents. Good culture 

 should be accorded at every stage of its growth. 

 Abundance of moisture and liberal supplies of food 

 are necessary, for the Celery is a veritable glutton 

 among vegetables, and will thrive on well-rotted 

 manure alone, though in practice this is not 

 generally allowed. 



Sowing. The first week in March may see the 

 seeds sown for the earliest supply, the services 

 of a hotbed or warm house being requisitioned 

 to assist germination. The plants should be 

 pricked off when large enough to handle, in a bed 

 of soil placed close to the glass on a mild heap of 

 fermenting materials. Afford plenty of water, and 

 gradually inure the plants to the outside tempera- 

 ture by tilting the lights, until it is deemed safe to 

 place them outside in a warm border previously 

 trenched and prepared for their reception. If 

 afforded slight protection during possible severe 

 weather a very useful lot of good quality sticks 

 should be available for use at an early date. For 

 the main crop, seeds may be sown a fortnight later 

 in a similar manner to the first batch, the seedlings 

 being pricked off, after hardening, into a warm 

 border out of doors, where some slight protection 

 may be given if required. A final sowing may 

 be made in April on a warm, rich border outside, 

 and protected if necessary. 



The trenches for the reception of the plants 

 should be prepared some time previously, and 

 should be 18" wide, 10" to 12" deep, and have 4" 

 of good farmyard manure incorporated with the 

 soil at the bottom. Take the plants up carefully, 

 remove all decayed portions, and plant a few at a 

 time with a trowel, watering in as the work 'pro- 

 ceeds and allowing each plant a space of 5" or fi". 

 If very hot weather ensues, a slight shading during 

 the hottest part of the day will be beneficial. Suc- 

 cessional trenches may be planted at intervals of 

 three weeks or a month. 



Earthing. The earliest plants should be ready 

 for a slight earthing-up in August, which should 

 be carefully performed with a trowel, removing all 

 suckers, and taking care that no soil falls into the 

 heart of the plant. When ten days or a fortnight 

 have elapsed another earthing may be given, using 

 the spade to chop up the soil and the hands to 

 gently mould it around the plants, leaving the 

 centres still free to grow. Finally, in about 



