CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
313 
mark the place for each plant, to secure uniformity in 
spacing. They relieve the foreman of the annoyance 
of looking after this matter. 
Planting distances are extremely variable. If soil is 
to be used in blanching, the distance between rows must 
be not less than 4 feet ; 5 feet is the more common 
spacing, especially for the tall green varieties. Some- 
times an early variety, as Golden Self-Blanching, is 
planted in alternate rows. This variety is blanched b\ 
means of boards. The distance in this case need not be 
more than 30 inches. After the early crop is sold there 
is ample space to blanch the late crop with soil. When 
boards or other devices are used for blanching the spac- 
ing between rows varies from 18 inches to 3 feet. In 
the most intensive plantations where boards are used, 
the distance between rows is usually from 20 to 24 
inches. The standard distance between plants in the 
row is 6 inches, although there is a decided tendency to 
plant closer. Some of the best growers plant the early 
varieties only 4 inches apart and allow 24 inches between 
rows. At these distances 65,000 plants are required for 
an acre. 
Double row planting is practiced occasionally. With 
this method the rows are about 6 inches apart, and either 
earth or boards may be used in blanching. 
When the plants are set very close together both 
ways, as 8 x 8 inches, or closer, the method is known 
as “the new celery culture.” Like other intensive 
methods, it is adapted to only very fertile lands where 
the supply of moisture can be maintained. With this 
plan there are usually 5 to 10 rows in a bed with 2-foot 
alleys between them. When all the points are consid- 
ered, it is better to plant 4 x 24 inches apart, so that a wheel 
hoe can be used in cultivating. Close planting is not so 
well adapted to the green varieties because of the greater 
difficulty in blanching. 
