CELERY. 



49 



For early use the plants started in March may be transferred 

 to the open ground about the first of June. 



HANDLING. 



The old custom of repeatedly "handling" or packing the 

 earth about the growing plants has given way to more expe- 

 ditious methods and it is generally conceded that one "hilling" 

 before the final banking with earth is sufficient. This hilling 

 should not be done till the plants have thickened considerably, 

 about a month or six weeks before using, as after the earth is 

 drawn about them the leaves grow tall very rapidly without 

 increasing in diameter. 



When ready to hill the plants, cultivate deeply between the 

 rows, then draw the soil loosely about the plants with a hoe or a 

 scraper made for that purpose. This operation makes a slight 

 bank, not more than one-third the height of the plant, which 

 straightens the stalks and holds them in an upright position. 

 If the soil is in good condition, it will be unnecessary to pack 

 the earth around individual plants by hand. 



BLANCHING. 



Blanching is the first step towards decay, and the exclusion 

 of air and light and the consequent abnormal condition of the 

 tissues render the plants, during this operation, specially liable 

 to disease. For this reason the operation is delayed as long as 

 possible. Plants intended for the first use are generally banked 

 about eight or ten weeks after transplanting. 



For bleaching the early crop, the use of boards is preferred to 

 that of earth. The work is done more expeditiously, and there 

 is less trouble from rotting. The method consists simply in 

 placing boards about a foot wide along each side of the row 

 with one edge close to the plants. The men then go along and 

 raise the boards to a vertical position, placing clamps or hooks 

 at intervals to hold them in place. A very good clamp is made 

 by sawing two notches about an inch wide and three inches 

 apart in a short piece of board. These clamps will then hold the 

 boards perfectly rigid. In ten days or two weeks the celery will 

 be ready for use and the boards are then available for use else- 

 where, thus keeping up a succession. 



