155 SALAD 



'■■ CROPS 



field after early October. It is the simplest 

 and most economical method of blanching, and 

 where used, the rows may be two or three feet 

 apart to admit of horse cultivation. 



For blanching by boarding, planks 12 to 14 

 feet long, one foot wide and about an inch thick 

 are preferred. These planks are set on edge 

 on either side of the row close to the root crown 

 of the plants, and tipped until they rest against 

 the tops of the plants with their edges only two 

 or three inches apart. Either wire hooks or 

 cleats nailed across the tops are used to keep 

 the boards in position. This boarding or blanch- 

 ing process is begun as soon as the plants are 

 tall enough to show a few leaves above the board. 

 As the stalks shoot up in search of light, the 

 leaves fUl the spaces between the boards and 

 exclude light from the stalks. Great care must 

 be exercised in warm weather that the plants 

 do not rot at the heart because of too great 

 moisture. Experience will teach you that it 

 is weU to get good lumber that may be used 

 many seasons, rather than cheap boards which 

 will warp or crack in one season. 



Blanching by banking with earth, often gives 

 a better quality of celery, but it is much more 

 expensive and cannot be so safely used in sum- 

 mer, as it tends to rotting at the heart. It 



