CATALOGUE OF VEGETABLE SEEDS. 
41 
CELERY. 
Celery is a hardy biennial, the stalks of which, when cultivated and 
properly blanched are sweet, mild and crispy, being very palatable in a 
raw state. 
Culture. — For the first crop sow in February, in gentle heat. The 
soil should be light and rich, and the seed covered lightly with finely 
sifted mould : and for the main crop early in April, on a warm, sheltered 
border, and water carefully. The plants raised in heat, as soon as they 
appear, must be kept near the glass, admitting air on every favorable op- 
portunity. The plants from all the sowings must be transplanted as soon 
as they will bear handling. For transplanting prepare a bed of thorough- 
rotted manure, three inches deep, covering it to the depth of another inch 
with light, sandy soil, or leaf mould mixed with sand. Prick the plants 
out on this at about three inches apart, water freely, and until the plants 
get hold of the soil shade them from bright sunshine. The plants raised 
from the sawing made in the open border will only require to be shaded 
after transplanting, by hooping and shading the beds, which will protect 
them from the direct rays of the sun until they become established. The 
early plants should be strong and sufficiently hardened, and fit for plant- 
ing out by the middle of May. The later sowings may be planted out at 
intervals until the middle of July. The ground for this crop should be 
dug into trenches two spades deep and one foot in width, banking up the 
soil on each side of the trench. In all cases let the distance between the 
trenches be such as will furnish sufficient soil for earthing up the plants j 
four feet is the usual space allowed. The bottom of the trench should be 
covered six inches deep with thoroughly decayed manure, and this again 
with two or three inches of soil, with which it should be well mixed and 
slightly trodden down and leveled, and then covered with one or two 
inches of soil for planting. Place the plants about eight inches apart in 
the rows, removing them with a good mass of roots, carefully divesting 
them of embryo suckers, which may have made their appearance, and 
keeping them well supplied with water. Earth up the plants as they 
advance in growth, but leave the hearts uncovered until the final soiling, 
and in the case of the early plants this should be applied about a month 
before they are wanted for use, and in all cases before there is any danger 
of frost. Some gardeners prefer planting upon the surface instead of in 
trenches. When this plan is adopted the soil should be very rich and 
deep, and the plants placed in rows three feet apart, and from six to 
eight inches apart in rows, according to the size of the variety. This 
operation of earthing should be performed only when the plants are dry, 
and at the final occasion neatly slant and smooth the soil so as to throw 
off the wet. In earthing up, 1 he leaves should be carefully held together,, 
so as to prevent the soil getting between them ; and in frosty weather 
the plants must be protected by covering the tops of the trenches well 
with dry litter, but this must not be allowed to remain on longer than 
may be absolutely necessary. Celery, like Asparagus, is greatly improv- 
ed by superior culture. 
Per Pkt. Oz. 
White Solid.— This variety is commonly grown ; clear white, solid, 
crisp, ...^.,.. 1 ..v......M.**.».v...^,^.v ,..«....>.....*.... 5*. S0c„, 
