CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
311 
Sandy loams and heavy soils require frequent and thor- 
ough harrowing. A smoothing harrow and a plank drag 
or leveler should be used to make the soil fine and smooth 
before planting. 
405. Fertilizing. — In making plans for the fertilizing 
of this crop the grower should bear in mind, (1) that the 
plants are shallow rooted; (2) that they prefer soils 
abounding in vegetable matter; (3) that rapid growth 
is essential to high quality, for plants which grow slowly 
are not so crisp, sweet and tender. 
Stable manures are undoubtedly the best fertilizers for 
celery, because they not only supply plant food, but 
also humus. Irrespective of soil type or location, all 
growers use manure if it can be obtained at reasonable 
prices. Horse manure is most generally employed, al- 
though cow manure is preferred by some gardeners. The 
^amount of manure to the acre vants hum 10 to 100 tons. 
Many of the most intensive growers, who figure upon 
gross returns of not less than $1,000 an acre, apply at 
least 50 tons, but excellent results may be secured with 
half this amount if supplemented with commercial ferti- 
lizers. Ten tons annually on muck lands may produce 
good results, but the largest profits are seldom, if ever, 
secured without the free use of stable manures. 
Rotten manure is preferred by many growers while 
others make winter applications of fresh manures. When 
the latter plan is practiced the manure should be chopped 
up and thoroughly mixed with the soil by a disk harrow 
before plowing. The best results from rotten manure 
are obtained from dressings applied after plowing, the 
most approved plan being to spread broadcast. For- 
merly, many growers bedded the manure in trenches or 
furrows before planting, and some continue the practice. 
Mulching with manure is described later. 
406. Commercial fertilizers. — While some sections 
rely wholly upon stable manure, high-grade commercial 
