THE 156 



GARDEN YARD 



usually requires two or three bankings or 

 "handlings," as they are called, during the 

 season. The first is given when the plant has 

 spread so as to make a head about eighteen 

 inches across. Then it is gathered in the hand 

 and held, while earth is banked up around it 

 about two-thirds of its height. In ten days or 

 a fortnight this is done again, and in the very 

 tall varieties once again. When this method 

 is used the rows are from three and one-half to 

 four feet apart. Of late years large growers 

 use a "celery plow" for banking. 



When celery is to be blanched in storage it 

 is usually "handled" once while in the field, 

 so as to start the process of blanching. After- 

 wards the plants are placed so close together 

 in pits or sheds that the blanching goes on until 

 the crop is ready for market. 



There is another method of blanching celery 

 which is particularly successful in small areas. 

 It consists of growing the plants so close to- 

 gether that the light is excluded and the crop 

 blanches as it grows. It is then grown as close 

 as six or eight inches apart either way. This 

 is called the "new celery culture," and is success- 

 ful where the hose can be freely used to supply 

 the necessary moisture. 



