LETTUCE. CELERY 



107 



that the leaves will meet and the plants blanch them- 

 selves ; this method, however, usually requires irri- 

 gation to make it a success; the "self-blanching" 

 varieties are used, and the outer sides of the patch 

 are covered with boards.) 



Blanching : Early or summer celery is usually 

 blanched, after the first "handling," by standing 

 twelve-inch-wide boards close against each side of 

 the celery plants, the top edges hooked or cleated 

 so as to be about three inches apart. The boards 

 should be about twelve feet long, and are put on 

 when the celery is about a foot high. I think that 

 the board method is better than earth for summer 

 blanching, because celery covered entirely with earth 

 is more liable to rot or rust in warm weather. This 

 blanching process requires two or three weeks after 

 the boards are put on. Then the plants can be dug, 

 as wanted, and sold or used. (NOTE: In very small 

 gardens celery may easily be blanched by slipping 



a piece of tile over each , 



plant.) 



The late crop of cel- 

 ery is usually blanched by 

 hilling earth gradually up 

 to the plants on both sides 

 of the row. This kind of 

 blanching is not begun un- 

 til the hot summer weather 

 is over, the weather cool, 

 and the plants well grown. 

 The first part of the 

 blanching process is 

 called "handling." This, 

 in plain English, means 

 to gather together with 



A HORSE-DRAWN CELER Y-HILLER 



IS A GREAT HELP IN THE 



BLANCHING PROCESS 



