1462 The Vegetable Industry in New York State 



growing early crops 



If one wishes to market his crop in the month of July, he 

 must start the plants in a greenhouse, sowing the seeds March 1. 

 I find that 1 can get stronger plants from heds in which the seed 

 is sown broadcast than from sowing in rows. A grower should 

 endeavor to sow the seed so that there will be from 200 to 250 

 plants to the square foot. If too thick, thin them out. 



The seed bed should be made of the best soil available. I use 

 muck only and have used the same muck in my greenhouse for 

 the past fifteen years. Keep it free from all kinds of disease by 

 sterilization and spraying. Never cover the seed with more than 

 one-quarter of an inch of dirt and never let the seed bed become 

 dry from the time seed is sown. Do not give too much water, 

 for, if too wet, soil under glass will become sour and moss cov- 

 ered, and the plants will not do well. 













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Fig. 447. — Blanching the Early Celery Crop With Boards 



Plant in the field just as soon as the season will permit. A 

 light frost will do very little harm to celery if it is well planted 

 and the land is wet, but will spoil celery plants if the ground is 

 dry and they have not taken root. 



Celery plants set May first should be ready to bleach by July 

 first. T use lumber for bleaching and find that the celery is in a 

 much better condition when bleached with boards than when 

 paper is used. 



Self -blanching celery seed has about 20,000 seeds to the ounce, 

 but one can not count on more than 5,000 good plants to the ounce. 



