SALAD 
155 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 fill 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 well 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 
