210 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



air, the root hardly attains as much thickness as by the 

 other plan. 



Our manner of preserving it during the winter is now 

 very simple, but as the knowledge of the process is yet 

 quite local, being confined almost exclusively to the Jersey 

 market gardeners, I will endeavor to put it plain enough, 

 so that my readers "may go and do likewise." In this 

 locality we begin to dig up that which we intend for winter 

 use about the end of October, and continue the work 

 (always on dry days) until the 20th -or 25th of November, 

 which is as late as we dare risk it out for fear of frost. 

 Let it be understood that Celery will stand quite a sharp 



Fig. 66. CELERY STORED FOR WINTER. 



frost, say 10 or even 15 degrees, while 20 or 25 degrees 

 will destroy it. Hence experience has taught us, that the 

 sharp frosts that we usually have during the early part of 

 November, rarely hurt it, though often causing it to droop 

 flat on the ground, until thawed out by the sun. It must, 

 however, never be touched when in the frozen state, or it 

 is almost certain to decay. The ground in which it is 

 placed for winter use should be as dry as possible, or if 

 not dry, so arranged that no water will remain in the trench. 

 The trench should be dug as narrow as possible, not more 

 than 10 or 12 inches wide, and of the depth exactly of 

 the height of the Celery ; that is, if the plant of the 



