62 FACTS AND FIGURES OR THE 



the rows across the bed six inches apart. Sow the seed 

 thinly in these rows, but do not cover with sand. After the 

 bed is all planted cover with ordinary burlap bags, which 

 have been cut open. Wet this covering twice a day until 

 the seed has started to sprout, which is usually from ten to 

 fourteen days after planting. As soon as you notice the seed 

 putting on little white sprouts, remove the burlap bags and 

 cover the beds with a half shade made of laths or cheese 

 cloth put over it in tent shape. I would advise giving the 

 plants a little more sun each day until they become hardened 

 to it, when the shading can be entirely removed. Celery 

 plants are very hard to raise, and the wise grower will plant 

 about three times as much seed as it takes to grow the re- 

 quired number of plants. Under favorable conditions a 

 half pound of seed will make enough plants to set an acre. 



REPLANTING OR PRICKING. 



This is one subject which it seems impossible for celery 

 growers to agree upon. Some growers claim it does not pay 

 to prick plants, while others, just as successful, claim it is 

 the only method to follow. As for myself, I prefer to prick 

 cut the plants. This is done when they are about two inches 

 high. ]\'Iake the rows across the bed the same as you did 

 when you planted the seed, but set the plants about three- 

 quarters to one inch apart in the row. The best tool for 

 pricking is made from an ordinary piece of wood three or 

 four inches long, whittled round ; drive a piece of stiff wire 

 about three inches long, into this stick. With this tool in 

 one hand a celery plant in the other, place the wire on 

 the root, pressing it in the ground as deep as you wish the 

 plant to be set, being careful not to cover the bud. Women 

 and children are more adapted to this work than men. Im- 

 mediately after you finish pricking them, they should be 



