An improved Mode of growing Celery. 157 



It is, I presume, no small advantage for horticultural pur- 

 poses, that, upon this system, water may be evaporated, and 

 taken up with the air, on its passage to, and before it enters, 

 the hot-house, affording the means of making artificial dew, 

 and of imitating the tropical climates. 



I am, Sir, &c. 



William Flavel. 

 Leamington Spa, Dec. 1. 1826. 



Art. IX. An improved Method of growing Celery. By Mr. 

 George Gledston, Gardener to Raleigh Trevelyan, Esq. 

 at Netherwitton, Northumberland. 



Sir, 



After upwards of thirty years practical experience, I most 

 respectfully offer to your notice the following observations : 



I know of no plant cultivated in the kitchen-garden more 

 in request than celery (Apium graveolens), and none that has 

 produced more disappointment, particularly when planted in 

 dry sandy soil with a gravelly bottom. It ought to be im- 

 printed on the minds of all practical gardeners, that the plant 

 in question, in its native state, is found in ditches and other 

 wet situations. If the following method be put in practice, 

 it will prove a complete remedy for the evil complained of. 



Select a piece of ground in an open situation, if level the 

 better. If the celery is grown in single trenches, they ought 

 to be five feet apart; if six feet trenches, and planted across, 

 leave five feet between. But to proceed with the single trench ; 

 this must be thrown out three feet wide and three and a half 

 deep, — place a stake in the centre at each end of the trench, 

 make the bottom level, beat in clay regularly to the thickness 

 of six inches : then lay two courses of stones or bricks length- 

 ways of the trench, and parallel to each other, leaving a space 

 of one foot six inches between. Each course ought to be eight 

 or nine inches thick, and laid in lime mortar. The clay 

 should be well pointed to the stones, to make all water tight, 

 this being the only utility the clay and stones are intended for. 



The trenches are now to be filled to the height of the stones, 

 with a composition of strong clay loam, common earth, and 

 rotten dung. Then pour in as much water as the trench will 

 hold, making the whole a sort of puddle. It will be advisable 

 to lay a slate or flat stone down the centre of each trench, to 

 prevent the clay from being injured by any unskilful hand 



