Celery 



131 



enough to retain moisture and keep down weeds. Stable 

 manure a few inches deep is one of the best covers, but 

 straw and other materials are also employed. I'he manure 

 should be kept from direct contact with the 

 plants. 



Celery is always a transplanted crop. The 

 seeds are small (Fig. 59) and slow to germi- 

 nate, and the seedlings are delicate (Fig. 

 60). It is only in a well-prepared seed-bed 

 that satisfactory results can be expected. 

 This seed-bed should have perfect surface 

 tilth and retain moisture to the top. Prefer- 

 ably, it should be protected from hot and dry winds. Some 

 persons prefer to have the bed partially shaded; but if 

 the shading is too dense, the plants are likely to be soft 

 and tender when taken to the field, and they are killed 

 by sun-scald. It is advisable, whenever possible, to have 

 the seed-bed in such place that it can be watered every 

 evening if necessary; but care must be exercised that the 

 watering is not so heavy 

 that it packs and puddles 

 the earth. Sometimes the 

 bed is covered with boards, 

 brush or straw, to main- 

 tain the moisture until 

 germination has taken 

 place. This may be ad- 

 visable, but if the covering 

 is left on too long, the plants make a very weak and spin- 

 dling growth and are worthless. If covering iS used, it 

 is well to remove it gradually as the plants germinate. 



Celery seedlings (X 2/3)- 



