CELERY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 21, 25 January 1940, Page 19

CELERY

Celery is much in demand during the autumn and winter. Although the modern tendency is to grow the selfblanching varieties, there is much to be said for the older varieties which require to be earthed up to ensure that blanching which is desirable if celery if to be at its best. Earthing up should be carried out with, care, .and only when the foliage is dry,' particular care being taken that-no soil is allowed to fall into the centres as , this causes ', decay. A scattering,of lime or soot or a mixture of both scattered along the rows of the plants is beneficial, applied before earthing. Earthing must be done gradually. On the first occasion not more than 4 or 5 inches of soil should be placed around the plants, and in no case should the centre growth be buried. Every succeeding 14 days further soil can be added and by April the plants should be ready to be earthed up finally. To grow good, crisp ; celery it is necessary that the ground be rich and contain plenty of humus as this helps to retain moisture. The plants must never be allowed to-receive a check for want of water, . but should grow steadily from the 'first. i Up to the time of earthing up, the plants will respond to liberal doses of liquid manure at frequent intervals.