192 



GARDEN GUIDE 



CELERIAC— CELERY 



Celeriac is a turnip-rooted form of Celery used for cooking. Its 

 cultivation is similar to that for Celery, but it does not need banking 

 or blanching. Sow about }4 in. deep in drills 18 in. apart and thin out 

 to 6 to 8 in. 



The first requirement in growing good Celery is a good supply of water. 

 The soil can hardly be made too rich. Early Cabbage and early Beets, 

 Peas, Lettuce, etc. , are usually out of the way in time to put in the Celery, 

 so that the same ground cph be used, but an additional dressing of fertiUzer 



should be given. For early use set 

 out strong plants in April or May, 

 putting the rows 3 to 4 ft. apart, and 

 the plants 6 in. in the row. Where 

 irrigation is available the plants are 

 sometimes grown in beds, being placed 

 8 to 10 in. apart each way; many 

 more sorts may be grown in the same 

 area but they never are as heavy as 

 those grown in rows. The early crop 

 is blanched where it grows, either by 

 backing up with soil which is drawn 

 in carefully about the stalks to hold 

 them in an upright position as they 

 develop, or through a more conven- 

 ient means; that is. Celery blanchers 

 of various types which are now obtain 

 able. For late Fall and Winter use 

 the seed is sown one-eighth of an inch 

 deep in April and the plants set out 

 Golden Celer ~ June or July. Stronger plants can 



en e ery obtained by trauisplanting from 



the seed-bed to give the plants several inches apart each way. This makes 

 them stocky and develops a fibrous root system which wiU give quicker 

 and better results than if they are set out in the garden. When raised 

 in a frame sow your seed in a shaded position. In transplanting water 

 thoroughly and shade from the midday sun for a few days. Be careful 

 not to get any soil over the hearts of the plants. Give clean culture and 

 one or two top dressings of nitrate of soda as the plants develop, and throw 

 enough soil up to them to hold the stalks upright. The celery crop should 

 never be worked or handled while the foliage is wet as this will tend to 

 augment any disease there may be. Blanching is accomplished by taking 

 up the plants with such soil as adheres to the roots, and packing them close 

 together and upright in a trench 12 to 15 in. wide, and deep enough so that 

 the tops of the leaves come about on the level of the soil. As cold, freezing 

 weather approaches, the trench is covered with a mulch or with boards; 

 a portion of the crop left for Winter use may be transferred to boxes and 

 stored in the cellar. See Winter care of Celery. 



