Special Needs 121 



around the plants, must be given — two or three times 

 should be sufficient. (4) The heads must be pro- 

 tected from the sun. This is accomplished by tying 

 up the points of leaves, so as to form a tent, or 

 breaking them (snap the mid-rib only), and folding 

 them down over the flower. (5) They must be 

 used as soon as ready, for they deteriorate very 

 quickly. Take them while the head is still solid and 

 firm, before the little flower tips begin to open out. 



Celery: — This is another favorite vegetable which 

 has a bad reputation to live down. They used to 

 plant it at the bottom of a twelve-inch trench and 

 spend all kinds of unnecessary labor over it. It can 

 be grown perfectly well on the level and in the 

 average home garden. 



As to soil, celery prefers a moist one, but it must 

 be well drained. The home supply can, however, be 

 grown in the ordinary garden, especially if water 

 may be had in case of injurious drouth. 



For the early crop the best sorts are the White 

 Plume and Golden Self-blanching. Seed is sown in 

 the last part of February or first part of March. 

 The seed is very fine and the greatest pains must be 

 taken to give the best possible treatment. The seed 

 should be pressed into the soil and barely covered 

 with very light soil — half sifted leaf-mould or moss. 

 Never let the boxes dry out, and as soon as the 

 third or fourth leaf comes, transplant ; cut back the 



