122 Home Vegetable Gardening 



outside leaves, and set as deeply as possible without 

 covering the crown. The roots also, if long, should 

 be cut back. This trimming of leaves and roots 

 should be given at each transplanting, thus assuring 

 a short stocky growth. 



Culture of the early crop, after setting out, is 

 easier than that for the winter crop. There are 

 two system : ( i ) The plants are set in rows three or 

 four feet apart, six inches in the row, and blanched, 

 either by drawing up the earth in a hill and working 

 it in about the stalks with the fingers (this operation 

 is termed "handling"), or else by the use of boards 

 laid on edge along the rows, on either side. (2) 

 The other method is called the "new celery culture," 

 and in it the plants are set in beds eight inches apart 

 each way (ten or twelve inches for large varieties), 

 the idea being to make the tops of the plants supply 

 the shade for the blanching. This method has two 

 disadvantages : it requires extra heavy manuring 

 and preparation of soil, and plenty of moisture; and 

 e\'en with this aid the stalks never attain the size 

 of those grown in rows. The early crop should be 

 ready in August. The quality is never so good as 

 that of the later crops. 



For the main or winter crop, sow the seed about 

 April 1st. The same extra care must be taken as in 

 sowing under glass. In hot, dry weather, shade the 

 beds ; never let them dry out. Transplant to second 



