1462 Tue VecreraBLe Inpustry In New YorK StTAtE 
GROWING EARLY CROPS 
If one wishes to market his crop in the month of July, he 
must start the plants in a greenhouse, sowing the seeds March 1. 
I find that I can get stronger plants from beds in which the seed 
is sown broadeast than from sowing in rows. A grower should 
endeavor to sow the seed so that there will be from 200 to 250 
plants to the square foot. If too thick, thin them out. 
The seed bed should be made of the best soil available. I use 
muck only and have used the same muck in my greenhouse for 
the past fifteen years. Keep it free from all kinds of disease by 
sterilization and spraying. Never cover the seed with more than 
one-quarter of an inch of dirt and never let the seed bed become 
dry from the time seed is sown. Do not give too much water, 
for, if too wet, soil under glass will become sour and moss cov- 
ered, and the plants will not do well. 
hed 
Fie. 447.— BLANCHING THE HARLY CELERY CROP WiTH BOARDS 
Plant in the field just as soon as the season will permit. A 
light frost will do very little harm to celery if it is well planted 
and the land is wet, but will spoil celery plants if the ground is 
dry and they have not taken root. 
Celery plants set May first should be ready to bleach by July 
first. I use lumber for bleaching and find that the celery is in a 
much better condition when bleached with boards than when 
paper is used. 
Self-blanching celery seed has about 20,000 seeds to the ounce, 
but one can not count on more than 5,000 good plants to the ounce. 
