The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-10
CELERY GROWING.
Points on the Propagation
of the Nerve Brac-
inc Plant.
ing Plant.
Andrew H. Ward of Boston writes of

Andrew H. Ward of Boston writes Of
celery growing as follows:
The most forward crop is slightly
forced, any of the varieties may be
sown in the spring, in the open garden,
at two or three different times, from
the last of March till the first week in
May; but the principal sowing should
be made in the first fortnight in April
and the last sowing in June. The
plants from these several sowings Will
in general be ready for pricking out in
four or six weeks from the time of in
sertion, and for final planting after
further continued growth Of two
months.
For the first removal the plants
should be three or four inches high;
for the second. when seven or eight.
From the above enumerated soWlngs,
monthly paintings may be successfully
made from the commencement OF June
until September closes but for the sup
ply of a family, a sowing at the close
of February for production during the
same years, and another about the
middle of May. to yield a produce in
the winter and the following spring,
will in general be amply sufficient.
Celery delights in a soil rather moist,
a rich vegetable mould with an add
ton of phosphate of lime and an al
kali. constituents which vegetable
mould usually lacks; if these are used,
there is no occasion for the direct APP
plicatiOn of dung to the plant which
does not improve its cOmpactness or So
lidity, and alters the flavor Of the cell
cry.
When either the plants left in the
seed-bed, or those removed, are from
six to twelve inches high, or when the
latter have acquired a stOcky growth
by four or five weeks nurture in the
intermediate bed, transport them into
trenches for blanching. For this pur-
pose, allot an open compartment Mark
out the trenches a foot wide and from
three to three and a half distance; dig
out each trench lengthwise, ten or
twelve inches in width, and six or eight
inches deep.
Lay the earth dug out equally on
each side of the trench; put about three
inches of well-fermented peat into the
trench (unless they are set in peaty
sold, then pave the sides and dig the
peat and parings within an inch or two
of the loose mould at the bottom. Trim
the tops and roots of the plants, and
set them in single rows along the mid
die of each trench, allowing four or five
inches from plant to plant. When this
Work Is HnlSAeQ, give the pants water
in plenty, and occasionally water them
from time to time, if the weather be
dry, and likewise let them be shaded
till they strike root and begin to grow.
When they have grown to the height
of eight or ten inches, draw earth to
each side of them, breaking it fine.
This should be done in fine weather, be-
ing careful not to bury the heart Re
peat the earthing once in ten days, till
the plants are fit to use. Be carefui,
however, not to draw up too much
earth to the plants at first, lest they
be smOthered, and leave the plants in
a little hollow. that they may receive
the full benefit of the waterings, rains,
etc.
It is best to begin at one end of a
row, and dig clean down to the roots,
which then loosen with a spade, and
they may be drawn up entire, without
breaking the stalks. To preserve this
plant during the winter, on the ap-
prOach Of frost take up a part of the
crop, and lay it under sand for winter
use. Those left in the beds may be
covered with litter, to be removed in
mild weather. The composition of the
ash of celery Salisbury: Carbonic
acid 20.S0; silicic acid, $50; Phosphoric
acil, $40; phosphate of iron, 4.95; lime,
Is. So; magnesia, O.9O; potash, 7.25; soda,
$3.50; chlorine, LAO; sulphuric acid,
10. 80