128 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



11. Growing late plants — ^Seed for the late crop is nearly 

 always sown in the open ground, and the time is usually as early 

 in the spring as the ground can be prepared. If the student is not 

 interested in the growing of early celery, he should study W : 127, 

 so that he may become familiar with the principles involved in the 

 germination of the very small seeds. It is more dilBcult to main- 

 tain a constant supply of moisture in the open ground seed bed 

 than in flats kept in the hotbed or greenhouse. 



It is absolutely essential to make a perfect seed bed by the 

 application of rotten manure and the most thorough pulverization 

 of the soil. The rows should be about a foot apart and the seed 

 barely covered. Covering the rows with a screen of some kind or 

 perhaps with old carpet or burlap bags will help to retain the 

 moisture. This practice, however, is seldom necessary if the beds 

 have been properly prepared. The bed should be kept thoroughly 

 cultivated until the plants are set where the crop is to mature. 



1. Where should late plants be started? 



W-VG:309. L:134. C : 196. B:43. 



2. Where should the seed be sown? 



W-VG:309. L:134. C : 196. B:43. 



3. How should the seed bed be prepared? 



4. What are safe directions for sowing and caring for the plants ? 



5. What other method may be employed in growing late celery plants? 



6. Do you think it would pay you to grow late plants to sell to your 



neighbors f 



12. Preparing the soil. — The student has learned in W : 122 

 that celery is exacting in its soil and plant food requirements. We 



