Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-04-05
NO. 50.
MISCELLANEOUS READING.
HOW TO RAISE CELERY.
1toes Ms Ansertcaa AqricnL.Mt:t, AHrM


A description of celery is unnecessary for
most of those who live in or near cities,
where it has long been n staple article for
the table, but IS as yet cultivated in c0mpar-
auveiy lew farmers gardens. 1t is native OF
England. where 1t grows as rank, coarse
weed, in marshy ground By cultivation,
the best stalks, which are edible. have been
rendered crisp and delicate, of most agree
able haver, aud equal or superior to any 9TH
er plant for salads 1t is also used as favour.
ing for soups and made dishes. When onee
generally known, it will be considered as
indispensable in the garden as lettuce or
cabbage. 1t is usually eaten in Fall and
Winter-by proper management it may be
had from August to April.
TO Iaise celery for Summer use, a hot-bcd
is needed, which should be prepared, in this
latitude, as early as the second week in
March After the hot-bed is made in the
usual manner, but with about twelve inches
of soil upon the manure allow it to stand ten
or twelve days for the weeds to spring up.
which can then be destroyed, and the bed
kept clean with little trouble. Make drills
six inches apart by pressing the edge of
board into the soil an inch deep, and SOW the
seed. The Solid White variety is generally
preferred When the plants are up thin
them to an inch apart Air them short
time each morning; keep them shaded with
mats OH clear days, from about 10 A. NJ. to t
P NJ Water with cold water about twice 4
week, applying it at noon, and Immediately
replacing the mats. Hoe between the rows
to keep out weeds, only when the plants aud
soil are dry; otherwise they become rusted
and are spoiled for after culture. When
about three inches high, or near the first of
May, they are ready for transplanting. 1t
is well to give more air, to harden them of,
d few days before removing them.
Dig trenches one foot wide, two feet deep
and four to FIVE feet apart. Put in six inches
Of we'll rotten cattle or hog manure, fill in
with six inches of soil, and mix the whole
thoroughly. Choose a clear day, water the
beds freely All hour or more before trans
planting, that the earth may adhere to the
plants. Fork over the prepared soil in the
trenches. and leave the middle rounded up
higher than the sides. Put in the young
plants twelve inches apart aud shade them
for few days to prevent willing.
Hoe them occasionally to keep out weeds
but only in dry weather, and when the leaves
are free from dew, and always be careful to
keep all earth from the centre of the plant;
otherwise it will rust and be spoiled. Draw
in earth enough from the sides of the trench
to cover the lateral roots three inches deep,
but do not draw together the heart of the
plant while young. Ifdrouth occur, frequent
hoeing is better than watering. When eight
or ten stalks are formed, and the tallest is
eighteen inches high, draw in earth from the
sides, and bank up the plant as high as the
first outside leaf--draw the stalks together
while doing this, and be careful to keep earth
out of the centre When the heart has
grown up even with the outside leaves, give
d second earthing. drawing it up so that the
bank stands about two feet high. AS soon
as the heart reaches to the outer leaves again,
the celery is ready for use. 1t will attain
this point about thirty days after the first
banking
For Full and Winter celery. choose rich
sandy loan, and enrich with plenty of good
manure thoroughly worked into the SOIL
Sow the seed in drills q foot apart. the same
is directed above. Thin them to about half
an inch apart. Hoe frequently to keep down
weeds and supply moisture. but never while
the dew is on. The plants will be ready for
the trenches about the first of July, after
which, the treatment is the same as described
.lbuye