Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-11

drouth, but the young plants are small
and delicate and the whole field should
be prepared as for a seed bed.
The fact that we grow celery for it's
leaves, indicates that the plant food sup
piled should be rich in nitrogen. In most
celery growing districts stable manure is
preferred if it is obtainable as the im-
proved mechanical condition of the soil is
of Importance. From thirty to sixty
two-horse loads of we'll rotted stable ma
nure per acre are applied and at once
turned under to a depth of i've or six in>
cheS.
In case the manure is not well rotted
or the supply is limited. some practice
making a trench six or eight inches deep
where the row is to stand. and. after put
ting in about three inches of manure.
filling with soil before setting the plants.
If the stable manure is not Obtainable
concentrated fertilizers may be used. if
an occasional crop of clover is piOwed un-
der to supply humus. Nitrate of soda is
especially valuable. Soils which have re-
ceived large quantities of stable manure
are also benefited by an occasional ap-
plication of lime or gypsum.
Celery seed is at best uncertain in it's
germinative power and unless the condi-
tons are suitable the percentage of ger
mnatiOn is usually very low. In general
we may count on from 5000 to 10,OOO plants
from an ounce of seed.
For early celery the seed is sown in II
mild hot bed or in flats in the greenhouse
about March 1 to Is. For the home gar
den If no hot bed is available, seed may
be sOwn in rich. sandy soil in a shallow
box and placed in the kitchen window.
In any case. cover the seed very lightly
not more than one-sixteenth of an inch
and keep the soil moderately moist but
not wet. Many practice covering the sur
face with paper or with boards till the
seeds begin to sprOut. 1t is also well to
soak the seeds in warm water for few
hours before sowing. There is little
doubt that as rule better results will be
obtained in terminating most vegetable
seeds If the soil is kept only moderately
wet Seeds must have air as we'll as
moisture in order to terminate.
AS the young plants begin to develop.
| transplant them into rows three inches
apart. leaving about a half-inch space be-
tween the plants. In case some of the
plants become too large before the
ground is suitable for setting them in the
field, they may be sheared back without
harm. The process of Hardening off,
should of course be observed. BY this we
be made accustomed to lower tempera-
ture before removal to the field.
For the main crop the seed is sown out
/ of doors from the middle of April to the
| first of June. In this case a sheltered To-
| cation is chosen, a fine seed-bed is pre-
lightly raked in, or sown thinly in drills
and simply rolled. 1t Is then well to pro-
vide screen of lath or brush to protect
the young plants and prevent destruction
of the seed. If the plants are thinned
somewhat in wedding, and are sheared
back as they begin to grow too large
transplantfng may sometimes be dis
pensed with. but the plants are better il
handled once as described above
| If only few hundred plants are to be
grown, they may be bought cheaper than
/ they can be raised, but If a large number
are required the plants should be home
grown.