78 THE CULINARY GARDEN. [MAY. 



upon the flower, it is kept back from blowing con- 

 siderably in hot weather ; and at all times, is render- 

 ed more delicate, by being shaded. 



In dry weather, water all the crops freely ; form- 

 ing a bason round the roots of the plants, in order to 

 retain the water. 



Of sowing and pricking out Celery. 



Celery, for a late crop, may be sown the first week 

 of the month, in an open situation. Also, at the 

 beginning of the month, plant out, of the February 

 or March sowings, a parcel into nursery-beds. This 

 is done in order to strengthen them, and cause them 

 make fibrous roots, previous to final transplanta- 

 tion. 



Choose a spot of rich, light earth ; which divide 

 into beds four feet broad, with alleys of a foot be- 

 tween them. This is supposing the beds to lie across 

 a border, and to be but short ; as otherwise, perhaps 

 a single bed may be enough. Twenty or thirty 

 square yards of earth will contain enough for an or- 

 dinary family, to be pricked out at a time ; and 

 observe, that a quantity of every sowing should be 

 thus pricked out into nursery-beds, there to remain 

 four or five weeks, before being planted into the 

 trenches for good. Point over the ground, and light- 

 ly roll, or beat the bed smooth with the back of the 

 spade. Choose the stoutest of the plants in the seed- 

 bed ; prune off the points of their tap-roots, pull 

 away a few of the bottom-leaves, and shorten the 

 tops a little with the knife. Then prick them in, 

 three inches square ; observing not to plant so deep 



