132 



GARDENING FOR PROFIT. 



new rootlets are formed, which will usually be in forty- 

 eight hours, after which all danger is over. This practice 

 of pressing the soil closely around the roots is essential in 

 planting of all kinds, and millions of plants are annually 

 destroyed by its omission. After the planting of the Cel- 

 ery is completed, nothing further is to be done for six or 

 seven weeks, except running through between the rows 

 with the cultivator or hoe, and freeing the plants of weeds 

 until they get strong enough to crowd them down. This 

 will bring us to about the middle of August, by which 



Pig. 39. CELEUY AFTER "HANDLING." 



time we usually have that moist and cool atmosphere es- 

 sential to the growth of Celery. Then we begin the " earth- 

 ing P" necessary for' blanching or whitening that which 

 is wanted for use during the months of September, Octo- 

 ber, and November. The first operation is that of " hand- 

 ling," as we term it, that is, after the soil has been drawn 

 up against the plant with the hoe, it is further drawn close 

 around each plant by the hand, firm enough to keep the 

 leaves in an upright position and prevent them from 

 spreading, which will leave them as shown in fig. 39. 



