308 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



to eight years. The plants from very old seeds lack 

 vigor and are probably more susceptible to disease than 

 those from fresh seed. 



403. Propagation. — It is seldom best to sow for the 

 early crop before March i in most northern sections. If 

 sown earlier, special care must be exercised to avoid check- 

 ing the growth before the plants are set in the field, for 

 the fact seems to be well established that any hindrance 

 of growth in seed bed, cold frame or field will be likely 

 to cause seed production the first year. As the plants 

 cannot be set in the open with safety until after May i, 

 it is difficult to maintain an unchecked growth when the 

 seed has been sown very much before March i. 



Celery seed, being very small and slow to germinate, 

 must be provided with the best conditions in the seed 

 bed. The soil should be fine, moist and not given to 

 baking. Muck is excellent when available. It is im- 

 proved by the addition of finely sifted coal ashes, some 

 sand and a small quantity of bone meal. If muck is not 

 at hand, use any rich garden soil to which has been added 

 liberal amounts of sand and fine rotten manure. 



The seed may be sown in flats or in the soil of the 

 hotbed or the greenhouse. If flats are used, the soil 

 must be moist and well firmed, especially in the corners 

 and along the sides. The seeds are sown thinly in rows 

 2 inches apart. The furrows are made very shallow, so 

 that the seeds will not be covered with more than }i 

 inch of soil. After the seed is covered a piece of burlap 

 is placed over the flat or the bed and the soil moistened 

 by sprinkling the burlap. If possible, a temperature of 

 about 70 to 75 degrees is maintained until the plants 

 are up. The plants must then have plenty of light, sun- 

 shine and fresh air. They should be watered as often 

 as necessary to keep the soil moist, but overwatering 

 must be avoided. Many gardeners cover the beds with 

 cloth while the seeds are germinating. It is an advantage 



