The most important requirement for growing good celery is a rich, moist soil. It is readily raised in the small back-yard garden, 
pvhere adequate irrigation is easily possible 
Celery-growing for Everybody 
STARTING THE PLANTS FROM SEED OR SEEDLINGS—THE REQUIREMENTS IN SOIL AND CULTIVATION 
TO GROW 400 BUNCHES ON TEN SQUARE FEET—A SIMPLE AND SATISFACTORY METHOD OF BLANCHING 
by Dr. C. D. Jarvis 
Photographs by the J. H. McFarland Co., and N. R. Graves 
I T is remarkable that celery should be left out of so many home 
gardens. Contrary to the general belief, it is not a difficult 
crop to grow. Success in this direction is dependent upon the 
supplying of a few modest needs. The most important require¬ 
ment is a rich, moist soil. Celery is well adapted to growing in 
the back yard, for there is probably no vegetable crop that re¬ 
sponds so readily to good treatment. During the hottest days in 
the summer it is greatly benefited by irrigation, and water is 
usually available in the small back-yard garden. 
Celery is one of our hardiest vegetables, being able to with¬ 
stand several degrees of frost. For early use it is set out in the 
field as soon as the ground can be fitted. The late crop is usually 
planted in July and left in the ground until the ground freezes, 
making its best growth in the fall when the nights are cool. There 
is seldom any trouble from insects and diseases. The celery worm 
sometimes appears but can be controlled easily by hand-picking. 
The disease known as rust seldom causes trouble and may be pre¬ 
vented by spraying the young plants with Bordeaux Mixture. 
THE EARLY CROP—SOWING THE SEED. 
Although many who begin this year their first celery raising 
will purchase the young plants all ready for setting out, it will be 
interesting to learn how the early crop is started, against being 
ready to start one’s own seedlings another season. 
The seed for the early crop will have been sown about the first 
of February, or two months before planting time, a “flat” about 
twelve by eighteen inches in size having been employed to grow 
enough plants to supply the average family with all the celery it 
can use. Such flats are easily made from wooden soap boxes, 
which may be obtained at any grocery store. The flat, when pre¬ 
pared for early plants, is filled with fine rich soil. Ordinary garden 
soil will answer the purpose, but it is greatly improved by mixing 
in some well rotted stable manure or leaf-mold. The addition 
of sand likewise improves a heavy clay soil. The soil is sifted into 
the flat and the seed sown in rows about two inches apart. After 
dropping the seed, about a quarter of an inch of soil is sifted over 
them and the soil firmed down with a short piece of board or 
block. The flat is then watered liberally and placed in a warm 
position. To prevent the seeds from being washed out, a piece of 
moist burlap or cheese-cloth is thrown over the surface. The 
soil is not allowed to become hot and should never be re-watered 
until required. When the plants begin to push up through this 
ground they are placed in a window where they will get the most 
light. 
PRICKING OUT 
When about an inch above ground the little seedlings are ready 
to be pricked out. The object of pricking out is to give the plants 
more room and to encourage the development of a large root 
system. The seedlings are then watered and then transferred 
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