SALAD CROP PROJECTS 129 



cannot hope to make a success of this crop unless we provide ideal 

 soil conditions, physically and chemically. 



As previously stated a liberal supply of organic matter is of 

 paramount importance. This is usually provided by applying 

 rotten manure in amounts \arying from 10 tons to 50 or more 

 tons to the acre. If the manure can be obtained at a reasonable 

 cost, it will pay, in all probability, to use at least 25 tons to the 

 acre and double this amount may be profitable. Much will de- 

 pend on the organic content of the soil previous to its preparation 

 for celery. 



All kinds of stable and poultry manure are used for the growing 

 of celery. Poultry droppings are especially desirable because of 

 their fineness of textiu-e and large nitrogen content. Poultry 

 manure and other kinds of thoroughly decayed animal manures 

 should be applied after the land has been plowed, and mixed well 

 with the soil by means of a disk or cutaway harrow. In small 

 plots where horse-drawn implements cannot be used, spading forks, 

 wheel-hoe cultivators, and hand rakes may be employed for the 

 same purpose. If only coarse or partly decayed manures are 

 available, they should be applied before the land is plowed. 



Comparatively few gardeners attempt to grow celery without 

 the use of commercial fertilizers. The amount to the acre varies 

 greatly as does also the kind. A ton to the acre is considered a 

 fair application for celery, though many growers use a ton and a 

 half or even two tons of a fertilizer that contains about 4% of 

 nitrogen and 8 to 10% each of the mineral elements. A good 

 practice is to apply at least a ton of a complete fertilizer before 

 the plants are set out. Then if the plants do not make a satis- 

 factory growth, top-dress the soil with nitrate of soda. Nitrate 

 of soda should not be used until the plants are well established. 

 From 100 to 200 pounds to the acre may be employed at each 

 dressing, and this should be worked into the soil with tillage tools, 

 unless applied immediately before rain. 



