72 Tlie Western Pomologist and Gardener. 1872 



Grooving Celery. 



Very few attempt'to grow celery from the mistaken notion that its culture is attended 

 with more or less difficulty. But with this as in other things, cultivation has been some- 

 what simplified within a few years past, requiring much less labor and care than under 

 the old mode of trenching. At a late meeting of the Montgomery (Ohio) Horticultral 

 Society, one of the members said that the present mode of culture differed materially 

 from that practiced a few years ago. A deep trench was formerly considered the first 

 requisite in the cultivation of celery. He has practiced plowing open a trench of only 

 moderate depth, but from experience contemplates planting on the surface for the next 

 season. The seeds should be planted as early as prudent in the spring, in beds out of 

 doors. Plants grown in this way are much hardier and more certain of success than when 

 sown in boxes. The young plants should be cut back once or twice in the beds and before 

 transplanting, to induce a stocky, solid growth. They should be grown thinly in the beds. 

 With proper care they will be ready to be transplanted into the garden rows from the 15th 

 to the 31st day of July. Earlier planting than this is not desirable, as celery makes its 

 principal growth after the nights become cool, and the greatest secret of success is in 

 keeping the plants in good condition until this season arrives ; which, in our hot sun and 

 dry atmosphere, is a delicate matter. The hilling-up process should be gradual, begin- 

 ning when the plant is about ten inches high; and at first only sufficient earth should be 

 drawn up to the plant to keep it from spreading out ; the plants should be set six inches 

 apart. Celery loves moisture, and irrigation is of great advantage in its cultivation; the 

 water should not come in actual contact with the plants, but allowed to gather between 

 the rows. The moisture is absorbed gradually in this way, conducing to a healthy, steady 

 growth. The soil for the growth of celery should be coo!, deep, and rich, of a pure loam 

 free from gravel, and with but little sand. 







Tbe Hanson Lettnce. 



Henry A. Dreer, Seedsman, Philadelphia, says : "The cut represents a sectional view, 

 showing the inside of this superior Lettuce, the heads of which grow to a remarkable 

 size, and are deliciously sweet, tender and crisp, even to the outer leaves. We are 

 indebted to Col. Hanson, of Maryland, for this variety, who states that it has been in 

 his family for many years. The heads are very large, a single one is frequently large 

 enough for an ordinary sized family ; tbe color Is of the most beautiful green without, 

 and white within, and is entirely free from any bitter or unpleasant taste found in some 

 varieties. Notwithstanding the usually dry spring of 1871, and excessive heat in June 

 last, it headed up remarkably solid, and was the admiration of every one who saw or 

 tasted it, the heads weighing from 232 to 3 lbs., and measuring to outer leaves 18 inches 

 in diameter. A special Premium was awarded to this Lettuce at the Rose and Strawberry 

 show in June last." 



