CELERY 169 



knife the heart is close to the root. Two sowings of 

 seed at least should be made, the first not later than 

 the middle of February, and the second in the first 

 week in March. Soil of a moderately light texture 

 should be used, but not rich ; a mixture of half leaf 

 soil and half light loam finely sifted, with a moderate 

 addition of either road or coarse silver sand, forming 

 a suitable compost. 



The pots or pans should be well drained. Raise 

 the seedlings in a gentle heat, taking care that at no 

 stage of growth any check whatever is experienced, 

 the most serious of all being an absence of moisture 

 at the roots, especially when in the seed pans. When 

 this is the case a large proportion frequently run 

 prematurely to seed. When the seedlings are large 

 enough to handle prick them off three inches apart in 

 boxes, using a light sandy soil. Return the boxes to 

 a gentle heat, gradually hardening the seedlings off as 

 they get established before planting out. This applies 

 to the first sowing. From the second sowing the seed- 

 lings may be pricked out in any warm sheltered part 

 of the garden where a rough framework can be placed 

 round them for protection. Shade from hot sun and 

 give shelter from cold drying winds for a time, also 

 covering them up in some way during cold nights. 

 A large number of varieties are in commerce, many 

 of which are excellent and many practically worthless, 

 either for exhibition or home consumption. Repeated 

 trials have been made on a large scale of most of the 

 known kinds and the conclusion arrived at is that the 



