30 



D. M. FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 



CELERY 



Sow the seed (which is slow to germinate) from about February 20 to April 20 in shallow boxes indoors or sow in a finely 

 prepared seed bed out of doors in April in straight rows so that the small plants may be kept free from weeds. See to it that 

 the seed is not covered too deep and that the bed is kept moist, almost wet, until the seeds germinate, as plenty of moisture is 

 essential to get a satisfactory growth. The seed will not germinate well if planted in a hotbed or where subjected to a temper- 

 ature above 60'^ F. When the plants are one to two inches high, thin out and transplant so that they may stand two or three 

 inches apart each way. When they are four inches high, cut off the tops, which will cause the plants to grow stocky. Plants 

 are usually set out when about five inclies high. It is well to cut off the lower half of the roots before transplanting. 



The crop is usually made to succeed some earlier one, but in order to grow good celery the soil must be made as rich as 

 possible, the essentials to success being very rich soil and plenty of water. If good plants are used, they may be set out as late 

 as the middle of August, but the best results are usually obtained from setting, about the middle of June or first of July. The 

 most desirable time will depend upon local climate and is that which will bring the plants to maturity during cool, moist 

 weather. In setting, prepare broad trenches about six inches deep and four to six feet apart, in which the plants should be set 

 six inches apart, cutting off the outer leaves and pressing the soil firmly about the roots. The compacting of the soil excludes 

 the air from the roots until new rootlets are started. The only care now necessary for about six weeks is to keep the plants free 

 from weeds by. frequent cultivation. 



When the plants are nearly full grown they should be "handled," which is done by gathering the leaves together while the 

 earth is drawn about the plant to one-third its height, taking care that none of it falls betw een the leaves, as it would be likely 

 to cause them to rust or rot. After a few days draw more earth about them and repeat the process every few days until only 

 the tops of the leaves are visible. Or it may be blanched by pressing the leaves together with two wide boards held in place by 

 stakes or by wire hooks at the top. This is the method commonly used by market gardeners and the rows need to be only about 

 three feet apart, but celery so blanched is not so good in quality and is more likely to become pithy than that blanched with 

 earth. Care should be taken that the plants are not disturbed while they are %vet or the ground is damp: to do so increases the 

 liabiUty to injury from rust. A part of the crop may be simply "handled" and then at the approach of severe freezing weather 

 taken up and set out compactly in a dark cellar or an unused cold-frame, where the temperature can be kept just above the 

 freezing point and it will then gradually blanch so that it may be used throughout the winter. Should the plants begin to 

 wilt, water the roots without wetting the stalks or leaves and they will revive again. 



Celery is sometimes grown by a process which consists in making a spot as rich as possible and there setting the plants six 

 to eight inches apart each way. If the soil is very rich and there is an abundance of water, the plants will blanch each other 

 and the product will be very white and handsome, but we think it is inferior in quality to that grown by the old method. 



^11 V 11 C If m L.* This is the standard celery for early use. It is in condition as early in the fall 



VaOlClen I ellOW Self Olancning as any and « e have yet to find a strain better in quality and appearance than our 

 stock of Golden Yellow Self Blanching. Critical gardeners generally depend upon our stock to produce their finest early 

 celery. It is excellent for the home garden. The plants aie of medium size, compact and stocky, with yellowish green foli- 

 age. As they mature the inner stems and leaves turn beautiful golden yellow so that blanching is effected at a minimum 

 expenditure of time and labor. Its handsome color, crispness. tenderness, freedom from stiinginess, and fine nutty flavor 

 have established it as a superior first early sort. Pkt. 10c; }^ Oz. 60c; Oz. $1.00; 2 Oz. $1.75; '74 Lb. $3.25; Lb. $12.00 



Wi r 1 This variety is similar in many respects to 

 OnderrUl Golden Yellow Self Blanching. It matures 



fully as early as that variety and in many localities has been 



found to be more resistant to attacks of blight and rust. The 



plants are semi-dwaif, stocky and vigorous growing with very full 



heart which bleaclies quickly to a rich golden yellow color. Of 



very attractive appearance, superior quality and fine nutty flavor. 



Recommended as a very profitable variety forgjowers for either 



the home or distant markets and also as a desirable sort for the 



home garden. Pkt. 10c; J^Oz. $1.50; Oz. $2.50; 2 Oz. $4.50; 



Vi Lb. $8.00 

 »i|ri •■ pi A handsome, very early variety. The leaves 



Wnite c lume are light, bright green at base, shading nearly 



white at tips. As the plants mature, the inner stems and leaves 



turu white and require to be earthed up but a short time before 



they are in condition for use. Although very attractive, we do 



not think that it compares favorably with the Golden Yellow Self 



Blanching either in flavor or solidity, or that it will remain in 



condition for use as long. White Plume has been much in demand 



as a market sort on account of its very attractive appearance and 



requiring a very short time tor blanching. It is suitablf also for 



the home garden. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 35c; 2 Oz. 60c; V4 Lb. $1.00; 



Lb. $3.50 



C" Di V • A comparatively new early variety recom- 



Hasy Dlancning mended for both the home and market 



garden. The plants make a rapid and vigorous gro\vth jiroducing 



rather thick, solid stalks of excellent quality and rich nutty 



flavor. .Although one of the earliest varieties to blanch it is 



also an excellent keeper and if stored when green will be found 



to be as satisf^ictoiv in this respect as many of the late maturing 



sorts. Pkt. 10c; Oz. $1.00; 2 Oz. $1.60; Vi Lb. $2.75; Lb. $10.00 



f I L' Anearly maturing sort of most excellent shape and 

 \^OIUmDia quality for the home market and private garden. 



It is extensively grown for shipment. The plant is of medium 



height but very stocky and heavy. The stalks are thick, almost 



round, resembling in shape those of Giant Pascal. The outer 



foliage of the plant when growing is rather light green with tinge 



of yellow, becoming whpn blanched yellow with tinge of green. 



The heart when properly blanched changes from yellow with 



tinge of green to a light golden yellow. In season it follows in 



close succt-ssion Golden 'Sellow Self Blanching. We consider it 



unsurpassed in its rich nutty flavor. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 50c; 2 Oz 



85c; "/4 Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 



/-• • . D I This is a green leaved variety developed from 



Liiant rascal the Golden Yellow Self Blanching and we 



recommend it as being of the very best quality for tall and early 



winter use for the home garden and market. It blanches to a 



beautiful yellowish white Color, is vei-y solid and crisp, and of a 



fine nutty flavor. The stalks are of medium height, very thick, 



the upper portion nearly round but broadening and flattening 



toward the base. With high culture this variety will give splendid 



satisfaction as a large growing sort for fall and winter use. In 



the south it is prized moie than almost any other kind. Pkt lOc- 



Oz. 50c; 2 Oz. 85c; Va Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 



Easy Blanching 



