DISEASES OF CELERY 89 



True pithiness in celery is similar to a disease in 

 that it may frequently be prevented by proper cul- 

 tural conditions. Recent observations have shown 

 that either too rank growth in the seed-bed or a 

 severe check will increase the percentage of soft 

 stems. If the celery is allowed to remain too long 

 upon the ground after having been blanched, the 

 outer stems have a tendency to become pithy, 

 although the heart of the plant may not be affected. 

 The pithy development of the outer stems is usually 

 accompanied by a rapid enlargement of the fleshy 

 root as a natural result of the maturing of the plant 

 and the storing of nourishment to be used the fol- 

 lowing season in the production of seed. 



General Suggestions. It will be observed that the 

 liability of injury from celery diseases is due largely 

 to inherited tendencies, and that all conditions must 

 be reasonably favorable before the disease will de- 

 velop. Keeping the crop in a vigorous growing con- 

 dition is always advisable, and the use of fungicides 

 as a preventive measure is recommended wherever 

 practical. It must be borne in mind that spraying 

 will be of little service unless begun before the 

 appearance of any disease, and that the solutions 

 must be applied frequently and to every part of the 

 plant. 



