A YEAR'S CYCLE IN THE GARDEN 209 



throw it on, but fill the shovel and hold it over 

 the celery, rocking it from side to side so that no 

 stalks will be broken. Don't forget that the plants 

 should be perfectly dry. Do not do this work in 

 the morning, but let it go until noon so that any 

 moisture that has gathered in the hearts over 

 night, may dry out. If the plants were to be 

 stored in a cellar, a little moisture wouldn't be 

 harmful, but even then, if there is any present in 

 the heart, it is liable to start decay. 



After the trenches are covered with soil, about 

 a foot of leaves or rough litter is added, which in 

 turn is covered with about four inches of soil. The 

 leaves or litter form an air space through which 

 it is hard for frost to penetrate. The celery will 

 keep just as well if enough dirt is piled on top to 

 prevent freezing, but it would necessitate con- 

 siderable digging when the celery was wanted for 

 use. By using a layer or two of leaves or salt 

 hay or anything of that nature that will not pack 

 solid, frost will be kept out just as well. The 

 trench should be mounded up in the centre so that 

 all moisture will drain off. 



In the Very Small Garden. For a very small 

 garden, where but a few plants are grown which 

 are usually disposed of by the middle of January 

 or thereabouts, I would advise covering the celery 

 in the trenches where it is grown. This saves the 

 trouble of lifting and storing the plants, and the 

 celery keeps better than if kept by any other method ; 

 but, as I said before, it is more trouble to get it 

 out of these trenches when you need it. In small 



