IN THE GARDEN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 293, 4 September 1908, Page 3

IN THE GARDEN.

A USEFUL 1 VECETABLE. HOW TO GROW GOOD CELERY. This is a good timo to sow seeds for raising celery plants, which may bo planted out in trenches when ready. Colory is appreciated in ovory household —one novcr gets tired of it. But it is dear to buy. It is wise, thorefore, to grow it. All English authority gives tho following practical hints on the cultivation of this most popular crop. Compost made of weeds of all sorts, which may be collected and stacked for tho purpose now, may be used if desired instead of stable dung. Bonedust should be sprinkled on the heap as it is formed, and this will decompose and encourage the growth of the plants later on. "Marl out the celery patch early in tho season, opening the trenches Ift. deep and 4£t. apart, utilising the ground between for other quick-growing garden ' produce, such as peas, cauliflowers, spinach, lettuco, etc. Deep trenches, aro a mistake. Tho market growers know better than to waste time in making them. Although we make ours a foot deep, yet when the planting time arrives 3in. or 4in. of prepared soil, .consisting of well-rotted stable manure and good meadow loam in equal parts, is placed in the 'trench a day or so before planting, and flooded with water. The young plants-are ' previously raised in a frame, and when 6in. high aro lifted carefully with a trowel, for celery hangs. fire. a long time after transplanting unless tho root fibres are carefully handled. We plant a foot apart each way, two rows in each trench, and again the trench is flooded. Good, crisp, solid celery is impossible unless the plants are liberally supplied with water and stimulants from, planting timo until the final earthing up. Should there bo a supply of liquid/ manure from the farmyard near by a weekly doso of this will be found excellent food for tho growing celery." (For making artificial liquid manure that is clear to handle and most effective in use, see articlo on "How to manure the garden," in tho Dominion of July -9.)

"It is'a mistake to earth up celery before ■the plants have made plenty of growth. We nave seen a good start entirely spoiled by too early earthing up, half burying tho leaves, and otherwise doing injury. Tho object of earthing should be to bleach and not. to unduly draw the leaf stalks. It is only exhibition celery that is appreciated according to its length; the short sticks' composed of thick, succulent leaf, stalks are what one prefers for the table. Growth depends on the quality of the manure supplied quite as much'as on the of the soil. Before the first earthing takes place the leaves should be carefully drawn together'by the hand and the soil worked loosely rather than pressed firmly around them. It must be boriio in mind that only the growth that is mado in the dark is blanched and tender, and that the leaves made before the earthing is done will not be of much account except for cooking. The early planting and consequent early earthing affords plenty of time for the growtl) of heart leaves. A dressing of quick Time and soot should bo applied before tho soil is interfered with. As tho plants advance in/growth, earthing-up must do' repealed about once a fortnight, until finally the leaf stalks should be drawn close together nt the top and the*.earth brought up closely to them. Some growers blanch' colery by enclosing the plants- in straw, pretty much as wine bottles are encased. • Othors use semi-dircular drain tiles, others stiff brown paper. None of these methods, however, is as successful as that of earthing, when it is properly performed. "The celery we nave ever grown in the south' is Major Clarke's, Red, the hardier form of it known as /Standard Bearer-being more suitable, for cold localities. Carter's Crimson is"a gooil dwarf/ compact, sort, hardy in constitution, and' suitable for a'late crop. Sandringham White.is one of the best, as it blanches readily, matures quickly, and is'hardy. Sutton's Solid Whito is ■another excellent sort which forms large sticks and keeps well. The sticks of celery may be dug out at the ond ■ of• the growing season, .and stood close togother in boxes packed moderately tight with sand. They are then kept in a dry cellar and taken out as they are wanted for use. The plants do not appreciably, lose in quality' whon. taken up and stored in-the manner described."