1 58 An improved Mode of growing Celery. 



that may be employed in taking np the celery, or renewing the 

 composition in the trenches. Level down the soil to and over 

 the stones, filling the trench in the centre with the above com- 

 position to two feet from the bottom : this places the plants 

 fifteen inches above the puddle, and forms a trench one foot 

 below the surface, which is an advantage in earthing up the 

 plants. 



Where early celery is required, it is advisable to sow a little 

 seed in the first or second week in February. Where there 

 is the convenience of a vinery, sow it either in boxes or pots, 

 giving the plants plenty of air as soon as they vegetate : plants 

 grown in heat are more apt to run to seed than when sown 

 in the open ground. As soon as the plants are fit to trans- 

 plant, provide a slight hot-bed, cover the inside of the frame 

 with flat stones or slates, laying their edges close to each other ; 

 then cover the stones or slates with strong fresh loam and 

 rotten dung to the depth of four inches. As soon as the soil 

 is warm, fill the frame with the young plants three inches 

 apart each way, observe to take off all the tap roots, give a 

 little w T ater, and put on the lights. Give plenty of air, and 

 when the plants are well rooted take off the lights every mild 

 day, and leave plenty of air at nights ; when the plants have 

 become tolerably strong and hard} 7 , remove the lights alto- 

 gether, and cover only at nights with a mat, watering freely in 

 dry weather. When the plants have reached the height of 

 six or eight inches, they ought then to be removed into the 

 trenches ; cut the plants out in squares, placing them carefully 

 about eight inches apart in the trench. When this work is 

 performed by a careful and active hand they will scarce feel 

 their removal ; their roots will reach the puddle in the space of 

 fifteen or twenty days, when their growth will be accelerated in 

 a rapid degree. There will be a visible change in their exter- 

 nal appearance, from an ordinary hue to a deep dark green 

 nearly bordering upon black. When the plants have grown 

 to the height of eighteen or twenty inches, they will then 

 require a little earthing up ; but be sure to give a good water- 

 ing first, and place a little water-run sand round each plant, 

 which keeps all clean and free from worm-eating and canker. 

 Where a retentive bottom is found, this preparation is not 

 necessary ; but to prevent worm-eating or canker, when the 

 trenches are prepared in the ordinary way, draw a drill, three 

 inches deep, in the centre of each trench, fill the drill with 

 sand, and plant as usual. 



-I am fully aware there will be objections to this method of 

 culture, and many an experienced gardener will find great 



