June 22. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
221 
origin, and wliat was its features when found?” It is, 
doubtless, a much altered plant from what it was then; 
yet we are at a loss to ascertain how this alteration was 
effected; whether it was done by one of those accidental 
causes by which wo now and then see great results ac¬ 
complished; or whether it was effected by a long and 
patient cultivation, in which a praiseworthy desire to 
improve a given object manifested itself, so as to pro¬ 
duce, in time, the article to which wo justly attach the 
significant title of “ the staff’ of life.” Now, wherever 
the native country of this plant may be found, it is cer¬ 
tain that nothing exactly like it exists now in a wild 
state ; and, doubtless, it has been so altered from the ori¬ 
ginal as to leave but few traces of its identity; and it 
seems incredible that the wild offspring of its original 
parent should have ceased to exist, although this belief 
is maintained by some ; while amongst others, embrac¬ 
ing some of the best botanists of the day, a difference of 
opinion exists as to the identical species of plant to 
which the cultivated Wheat really does belong; and 
while such difference does exist, it would be superfluous 
to hazard an opinion, especially as so much has already 
been said about the matter by others well qualified to 
give a correct one. However, as there are many other 
plants, as well as Wheat, whose history it would be diffi¬ 
cult, if not impossible, to trace, it would be better to let 
them alone, and direct attention to their culture as ex¬ 
perience has established it at the present day. But as 
the ono to which it is intended to devote the present 
chapter has not been so long in the improved condition 
of a cultivated plant as the Cereals, and some other 
plants, it becomes a much easier matter to trace it to its 
source, or rather its original birth-place, and from thonce 
we may possibly gain a little which may enable us to J 
comprehend more fully the wants and requirements of 
the plant in question, which is no other than the much- 
improved article Celery. 
At whatever period this vegetable was first cultivated 
to the extent, and made subservient to the purposes to 
which we now put it, we need not here stop to iuquire, 
for it cannot claim the antiquity that some other garden 
plants do ; one thing, however, is known, that its quali¬ 
ties have much improved during the last half century, 
and if improvement continues to go on, much of the ori¬ 
ginal rankness of the wild plant will have left it. But, 
as it will be necessary to mention its original home, it 
need afford no surprise by being told that it is indige¬ 
nous with us, and that wild Celery is found in our ditches 
and other wet places in great abundance, and more espe¬ 
cially in what is called the salt marshes; i.e., those wet, 
marshy spots to which salt water has now and then 
access. In such places we may see it flourishing in all 
its native luxuriance, while its foliage has that strong 
smell which the cultivated varieties have in a much 
diminished force. One thing, however, is certain; the 
moist situation to which the wild plant owes its luxuri¬ 
ance is also best adapted to the growth of the more 
cultivated form; but then there are other considera¬ 
tions besides mere growth which ought to regulate 
the qualification of Celery in its now altered state. 
A rapid growth is not always consistent with good 
keeping qualities; and as this produce is expected to 
remain in use for at least eight months out of the 
twelve, it necessarily becomes important that it should 
be attended to in that particular. The process, how¬ 
ever, is not difficult, and late Celery, of a good 
•quality, is often found in places which have not the 
character of producing it in first-rate condition at an 
earlier period; for it so happens, that the means taken 
to ensure a rapid and luxuriant growth are not always 
compatible with good keeping qualities. Nevertheless, 
both ends may be attained, to a certain degree, by 
attending to a few simple rules, which it is here in¬ 
tended to lay down. 
The usablo portion of this vegetable being the leaf¬ 
stalks when in a blanched state, and crowded together 
in such a firm compact body as to have received the 
name of “ a head,” which also possesses a centre or 
heart, containing, in like manner, some of those said leaf¬ 
stalks in embryo, but which are, nevertheless, expected 
to remain in that inactive state which retains them as 
they are. In that condition, the tight clasping of the 
larger ones around them, and the latter being sur¬ 
rounded by earth or other substance, they necessarily 
undergo that process of bleaching, or blanching, which 
divests them of that green colour and much of the rank¬ 
ness which the wild plant possesses; but after this 
process of blanching is effected, and the future progress 
of the plant checked, it naturally either falls into a state 
of decay, otherwise the growth takes another turn, and 
the intention of nature is now directed to the production 
of seed; consequently, the central portion of the plant 
is elongated, and a sticky portion from the middle 
(having the seed or flowering-buds in embryo) rises in 
the centre, which new portion is of a kind quite unfit 
for use, and speedily rendering the other portion useless 
also, completes the destruction of what once might 
have been good Celery. Now, as it is advisable to defer 
this state of things to the latest period, as well as to 
prolong the season of useful Celery, it is of importance 
that the ground on which Celery is planted should be 
duly considered before it is fairly committed to the 
earth. 
There cannot be a greater mistake than to suppose 
that the conditions which bring Celery to the best 
possible state in September are the best for March like¬ 
wise ; for the former requires all the assistance that a 
rich manure can give it; the latter is not so gross a 
liver, its food being more solid than rich ; consequently, 
it will easily present itself to the horticultural student, 
that for late use, Celery ought to be planted on rather 
dry ground, and that not too rich ; for the too rapid 
growth of a plant in early autumn, and its suddenly 
ceasing to do so, is incompatible with its existing long 
in a sound, useful condition, Celery not being exactly 
like those root-crops which remain, to a great extent, 
inactive for several weeks together. On the other hand, 
Celery must either be growing or decaying. Now, in 
order to maintain a winter’s growth in this plant, cold, 
wet soils are not the best to plant it in ; but dry, sound 
ground, and that of a kind which does not harbour too 
many slugs to the injury, if not destruction, of this 
crop. However, as its growth and general treatment 
deserves to be more folly entered into than the limits of 
this chapter admits, I must leave the remainder until 
a future occasion, and desire that due care be taken of 
those plants which were pricked out in some generous 
soil in May, and that their need of plenty of water and 
other wants have been supplied. And be sure, in 
preparing the Celery trenches for the present year, take 
care and select some on the driest parts of the grounds 
on which to plant the later crop; on which it would 
be well also to limit the quantity of dung or other good 
things, so as to avoid that grossness so hurtful to the 
conservative powers of this plant. I will resume this 
subject at an early opportunity. J- Robson. 
FANNY BELL. 
By the Authoress of “ My Flowers." 
In my last paper I concluded the melancholy history of 
Jane Markham,—a warning to the young, especially those who 
are necessarily sent out into service at an early age, before 
their principles are settled, or before they have sense enough 
to guide themselves aright. Very strict rules and regulations 
are needed for young people as barriers against evil, until 
they have either gained worldly experience, or sound, religious, 
