title: Vaughan's celery manual ...
text: A ""> •-?.?.* G* *o> --yf. %••■• v^*.•■..V■■'V•••• ■J ^p "V ^^ »oCO V'^l' v^ ^O ■^ ^^0^ "oV ■' v^ 'if.' .4 o^ -^ "^ ./ ... ^^- '- .<^ ..„ -^r. '" O^ ^"' ■M/K' \^ .*'<flfe'' ^.^--^ •«'*;"" "■^.'f' • v^ V -^^ ^. ,4' i; .0' ^<^ ^:- ^^ ALL KINDS OF RURAL BOOKS FURKISHED AT PUBLISHERS' PRICES. V/I^GHAN'S SeGB ST0RG, 88 STATE STREET, Offices & Warehouse, U6 & U8 W. WASHINGTON ST. VAUGHAN'S CELERY MANUAL • • • TOPICS • • • Preparation OF THK Ground, C^A6.^ ^ Varieties, \, Soils AND Drainage, ( |\- n O-'ipQu ' \ / j ^■^ Preparation OF THE Ground, Sr^O^^ "^^-^ \/ U Fertilizers, '"^gt^ Plant Growing, Transplanting, Growing Two Crops of Celery, Double Cropping, Hilling and Banking, Digging, Bunching and Packing, Winter .Storage and Bleaching, Shipping Trade, Chapter for the South, Profits. VAUGHAN'S SEED STORE. CHICAGO. 1.SS9. [Entered Accordin<r to Act of Cougress iu the year 1889 by J. C. VAUGHAX. Ill the oflfice of tlie Librarian of Congress at Washington.] PREFACE. We are often cousuUed by those who would engage in gardening or ])laut growing and trust soTie may find in a careful study of these ])ages that answer which lack of time prevents our giving to in- dividual cases. While in the-e times of close coiupetitiou in every branch of labor or business we would not throw any false rosy light over the pursuit of gardening ; while we would be the last to mislead the beginner who may harbor the idea that " anyone can be a gardener " yet we must claim for il a fair promise of reward for energy and brains. I, et no one im igine that he needs but sow to reap ; that fine crops and good prices for them are as sure from his ground as " grass grows and water runs, " but know, that to be a good gardener is not less diflicult than to be a good merchant, manufacturer, grocer or tradesman. Tlie wise solution of the prob- lem of creating wealth from the soil is not less ditTicult and recpiires no less time to learn than many other pursuits and he who thinks otherwise may learn the contrary at the end of sad and dear experi- ences. We know of no business so easy and profitalile that un- skilled labor may expect immediate success. The Culture of Celery is no exception, it is perhaps a high branch of that "Art which doth mend Nature;" therefore act wisely, and by all the knowledge you can acquire from practical meu aud despise not that knowledge because you find it written in books ; rather study wisely to marry the theory with the practice. This well done, the well-read man can never be scorned by his less educated but more practical brother worker. We know, however, of no branch of art where one by carefully following the instructions here given, may hope for greater return for his investment and labor. To Mr. Burt Eddy, (a practical grower of tw'enty years experi- ence) I am indebted for the thorough working details aud systematic arrangements—in fact the authorship of this Manual, which I have supervised, illustrated aud printed, with the hope that it may be some addition to the scant list of practical gardening essays. J. C. VAUGHAN. Chicago, March i, 18S9. lELERY (APiCM CRAVEOLENS) is a native of Britain, which in emigrating to America, has greatlj- improved its conditions. There is no doubt that here it is more widely and better grown than in its native land. As a wild plant its stem was about two feet high, its root long and tapering, its taste acrid and suggestive of poisonous qualities, while its odor was offensive. Now, by the evo- lution of superior culture, the stalks have grown solid, crisp, agreeably sweet and of a nutty flavor, while in one variety the roots are swollen into turnip-shaped bulbs. It has become an important factor of a good dinner-table, a flavorer of its soups, an ingredient of delicious salads, a boiled vegetable and a prett}-, edible ornament. Through its remarkable development it has become an important commercial staple, requiring thousands of acres for its production and extensive shipping facilities for its distribution to all sections of of our wide continent. One center alone, the Kalamazoo Celery District, reports shipments for the past year of 20 and 30 and not infrequeutl}- 50 tons of this product daih- during the eight months constituting its shipping season, and the end is not yet, the demand still increases ; there is a continually widening field for development and a prospect that for \ears to come it will prove a profitable crop to engage the attention of cultivators. Certain localities seem especially adapted to the successful cul- ture of this crop and the growers learn certain economies common to operations of great magnitude. Yet we believe there is no sec- tion of our country so poor in advantages of soil and climate that a measure of success cannot be attained, and in most cases some spot near towns can be found where high success will reward intelligent management and labor. Even in sections of our Southern vStates where most unfavorable conditions exist, by following plans sug- gested on followiug pages, we believe good crops can be grown. In our locality "doubling " this crop with early cabbage, lettuce, peas, beets, beans, potatoes or even sweet corn and onions secures the best possible returns from high-priced lands and costh' manures, though many growers devote their whole ground to this crop alone and raise on it two and even three crops during the season. The wide-spread impression that this is a difficult crop to grow — requir- ing mysterious ledgerdemaiu is fast being dispelled by practical ex- perience in its growth and thorough information and advice from skillful growers imparted in essays and books. Experience in our locality has taught us certain peculiar lessons which may be of interest and instruction to Ijeginners or even old growers in other sections with differing soils and climates, since through interchange of ideas and experience do we often learn our most valued lessons. vSome of the information may be hackneyed to experienced growers, yet we expect to illustrate certain practices that are not general and that have been very successful in one of the most noted regions where the crop is grown and where competi- tion is the sharpest. A working experience in the manual opera- tions of market gardening and knowledge gained in an extensive shipping trade, furnish us with actual facts and methods on which we can talk freely and familiarly, if not rhetorically, so that we hope to present the solid facts and pertinent points of our subject,making clear the essentials of the highest management of this branch of gardening. In the beginning of our subject would we emphasize a reason- able rather than an enthusiastic expectation of profits. Theoretical figures frequently sum up differently from figures in fact. vSeed- time and harvest often develop obstacles that are not in a pen and ink plan and which interfere greatly with proposed profits, yet it is reasonably sure that an industrious man, with proper facilities and small capital engaging in the culture of this specialty has a safe enterprise and a remunerative occupation. SOILS AND DRAINAGE. A proper seclectiou of soil is the first practical step to be taken in the production of anj- crop ; you can more easily construct the proverbial " whistle from a pig's tail, " than to produce profitable crops from unsuitable soils, and the vegetable now in question has its preferments, which when understood and supplied, make the "job begun half done." A cool, moist soil is the first desideratum and, as this requisite is found in soils of different mechanical structure, we have quite a range of selection, although there are advocates of certain kinds who claim that in their's alone will this crop come to highest per- fection, a conclusion in which common sense and practical experi- 3 ence do uot concur. Generally speaking, all low flat lands have a temperature considerably lower than adjacent uplands, their cool- ness being caused by greater evaporation from their surfaces ; and greater moisture since their sub-soils are the natural receptacles of drainage from the higher lands about them. As river bottoms, valleys, bog lands and shores of inland lakes abound in such tracts, certain localities have become famous for growing this crop ; but experience with various soils has taught us that no particular muck is vitally essential to raising good paying crops of Celer^^ Some Michigan lands, peaty in nature and abounding in humus, produce early and abundant crops without solidity. The growth is luxuriant but soft in texture, therefore inferior in shipping qualities, while it freezes more quickly in the late Fall than equally heavy crops grown on other kinds of lowland .soil. In drouths such peaty soils " burn " the plant and cause more rot when banking in warm weather, than soils having more loam. On almost any farm in our Western States can be found another variety of low-land known in different sections as sloughs, swales, etc., having a deep brown or black loam eighteen inches to several feet in depth, over-lying gravelly and even stiff cla}- subsoil ; these plats when broken up and gotten into fine tilth, make excellent Celery land and grow less hollow and more solid stalks than previously described lands. We have grown acres of Celery on such soil for home use and shipment, which has come into competition with lots sent out from centers where this industry is now greatest and our's always commanded premium prices in the open market for all we could produce, while we had only a small disadvantage in the working expense of production, .since such soils are somewhat heavier in working than true muck and sandy marsh land. Another species of soil abounds in this district which in con- sistency of working is a happy medium betwixt the preceding Two and upon which is yearly grown the finest stock. We refer to the Lake View district of North Chicago. It lies a little inland from the sandy beach of Lake Michigan, extending in a narrow strip for miles north of our city and is a sandy muck and alluvia mixed, light, porous and constantly watered like the famous bulb gardens of Holland, by ascending moisture from a water level in the earth but two or three feet below the roots of the plants, yet which never rises in properly drained fields to saturate the top soil nor to injure roots by standing water. So well adapted is this soil to Celery growing that hundreds of acres are devoted to it and millions of plants are grown yearl)-, yielding the finest celery in the world. The methods of culture are the finest and the fame of the product has spread far and wide, so that not only does it supply the Chicago market but the surplus is shipped in all directions. Wherever soils such as these three above described can be found contiguous to a city, or even a country shipping station, there it is safe to drive one's stake. By digging two spades deep in several portions of such fields the nature of their top soils can be easily determined and if suitable, attention should next be turned to Drainage. This crop though requiring moisture, suffers as much from standing water on the surface or within one foot of its lowest roots as many others not so great water lovers, therefore tile-draining or open ditching is essential. Again, such low lying lands are liable to submersion in early Spring when work should begin, in Fall before digging the mature crop and often during the flooding rains of June. Any intelligent land-worker can survey his field and accomplish this drainage as his particular case may re- quire without specific directions from us. The only point we will urge is that it be well done. We avoid discussing the merits of upland for this crop, as we are striving to present directions for the MOST profitable conduct of Celery gardening viewed from the market gardener's standpoint, although for the small garden where choice of land cannot be made, the cultivator need not despair of growing for home consumption and small local demand good crops on loam or light clay uplands. Though somewhat at the mercy of drouthy seasons, Celery grown on this last named soil is more solid, keeps longer and does not freeze so easily as the more succulent growth produced upon lower lands, with the compensating advantage of suffering less damage in ex- tremely rainj' seasons. However, upon a large scale where con- ditions must be fittest and all the economies observed, the former three soils must have preference. They will be rare districts in- deed, where some one of the named soils to the extent of a few acres cannot be found ; and in our travels through various sections we see lying in waste, acres which could be easily transformed into profitable fields. — 5 — PREPARATION OF THE GROUND. Premising that the field selected has not before been workeil in plowed crops and that complete drainage has been secured by the last of August, we commence, say September i, by casting on and distributing sixty good two-horse loads of rotten manure per acte, scattering evenly over the whole sur- face. Then with a good steel sharp- shared plow we proceed to plow our ground, turning a neat hut shallow furrow slice, so as to completely invert the sod and manure, cutting just wide DETACHABLE MOLD-BOARD PLOW, enough that the sods may lie flat with joints overlapping as little as practicable, that the subsequent har- rowing may not tear up the turf. The object of this shallow plow- ing is to hasten decomposition of the sod and allow the coming frosts to fully act upon it. With a light or medium harrow we over our whole ground in the same direction it has been plowed, "lapping half" each round until all has been gone over twice, then if well fined down, two harrowings cross-wise will further level our piece and fill in the crevices. In cases where sod is unusual- ly tough and a poor job of acme pulverizing harrow. plowing has been done, a heavy roller run first in same direction with furrows and finished crosswise will allow easier and more finished harrowing and less tearing up of sod ; bvit it pays to per- form these operations well, with deliberation and a skillful steady hand. A plow with rolling cutter or stiff coulter is necessary for plowing such land and in this as in all operations with tools, the sharpest are the best. A good steady and strong team will be required for some sods, as many of these lowland turfs are filled with roots as strong as thongs of steel and offer great resistance ; who plows slowly plows best under such conditions. When finished, as here detailed, the — 6 — tomiiig mouths of frosts aud severe freezings will finish the disin- tegration, and by Springtime everything will have crumbled away and our land will be in friable condition. During Winter, with cart or sled haul on fully as much more manure as was first applied, leaving in piles at convenient distances for scattering in early Spring, then there will be no mismoves nor delays when plowing time comes again. There will be less leach- ing of the manure if spread at once than if allowed to remain piled through the winter, yet the advantages of the thorough action of frost upon the upturned sod, and of the earlier drying off of the soil in Spring whereby a week's delay in plowing may be saved, over- balance anj- loss by leaching of manures and make piling the more desirable method. Two or three hands ahead of the plowman can quickly distribute the manure and prevent delay. From April 15 to May i Spring plowing begins. With manure evenly distributed over the surface, we proceed to plow, this time from eight to ten inches in depth, the object being to bury the top sod and manure where the feeding roots can ramify it during the growing season. To be sure the Celery roots will spread out near the surface if most of their food is there, yet a greater success will follow if the main supply is a little deeper. This induces the roots to run deeper where the soil is cooler and more moist, making the plant stronger and giving it a water siipply in the drouth of midsummer. The quick start after transplanting can be given by a course of sur- face fertilizing. It will be seen upon consideration that after the ground has been furrowed out to receive the plants and the roots of each are set down two or three inches below the field level, we are closer to our storehouse of plant food than at first appears. After this plowing is finished, do not harrow immediately but give the soil chance for aeration and further sweetening by late Spring frosts, of course governing the matter by the first use to which our land is to be put, whether to Celery for a first crop or to some other vegetable with which we intend to "double." If the latter is our intention, scatter evenly broadcast fine ground bone at the rate of about one-half ton per acre and harrow at once; other good commercial fertilizers can also be used for this purpose. Now we are ready for our crop if we intend growing something else be- fore the season of transplanting Celerj- — otherwise our land lies in the rough as before stated till June and later, or onl}- with sufficient — 7 — harrowing or cultivation to destroy the weeds which invariablv start, reserving the application of bone dust, etc., until final preparation for the Celery crop. This is the most thorough way to prepare new soil for our purpose and seemed to merit the principal description as compared with older soils already under cultivation, of which all that is necessary to observe is, that they should conform to "«*k ,^1. our description of suitable soils, be highly fertilized and in the best possible i^*^^' ^^-^^'^ expanding harrow. tilth to produce a heavy crop. A deeper plowing than usual will benefit such lands when devoted to Celery for the first time and a cross plowing, where practicable, when the plowing has previously been repeated in one direction. This is especially true of stiff soils. We would recommend for older soils, repeatedly cropped, an oc- casional rotation, a growing of green crops of rye, peas or clover for turning under and an absolute rest at intervals. FERTILIZERS. Verv much could be said upon this topic, volumes having been ■written upon manures and specific formulas constructed, based upon analyses of different soils, many of them theoretical, and while it would be interesting to intelligent cultivators to elaborately study this question with good authors, we wdll here confine ourselves to practical means which w-e know are general and will perfectly en- rich the soil. Our first injunction will be like the good cook's, who when asked how he concocted so fine a cup of coffee, answered, "By putting in plenty of Coffee." The complaint of the farmer that too much manure makes his crops "run to tops," is to us a hint of the thing needful. It is TOPS we want and in as great profusion as pos- sible. Therefore manure generously; it will be hard to get too much of this good thing, provided it is well rotted and thoroughly incorporated in the soil. The quantity stated previously should be considered the minimum application per acre. Of all complete manures, first and foremost stands the product of the barnyard, properly manipulated and composted. With enough of it at hand we need look no further; but with lack of such supply, we must piece out with commercial fertilizers. Under — s — the topic " Preparation of the Grouud," we mentioned finely ground bone as a complementary manure for this special crop, not because we deemed it superior in ammoniacal qualities to pure Peruvian Guano, but because it is less caustic and does not burn and spot the stalks and hearts of the Celery plant as Guano often does when care- lessly applied. Phosphates also seem to combine with animal manures and make a more complete fertilizer than any other mix- ture, therefore it is the best formula we can recommend, though we do not decry the fertilizers of commerce when piire, such as ^uano, blood and bone, super-phosphates and special manures for certain crops, since we know that in small compass can be concentrated the active ammonia of a wagon load of barnyard manure. But the question lies deeper, it is one of mechanical conditions of the soil. Because a rock or plank can be charged with ammonia, it does not follow that is fertile for crops. A hard compacted soil devoid of humus needs the action of the fibrous portions of stable manure to render it loose and light enough for plants to assimilate the food within it. It was a hard headed farmer who replied to the state- ment that the time was coming when he could carry the fertilizers for an acre of land in his vest pocket — " Yes, sir; that maybe true, but I am thinking I could carry the whole of my crop in the other pocket." Still on new soils abounding in humus, where sod or green crops ofany kind are plowed under, commercial fertilizers have a secondary value not to be overlooked and yield better results than on older soils or on stiff ones which require the mechanical action of rotting fibrous manures. Here if such manures cannot be obtained in sufficient quantity, a combination as before suggested is the best compromise. Liquid manures are available for small plant beds and gardens, but on a scale of any magnitude are impracticable. A rotation of fertilizers is often quite as important as a rotation of crops. Frequently in old soils where but little response is given to liberal manurial applications, a thick sowing of air-slacked lime will act upon the inert and insoluble ingredients freeing the ammonia and other elements which have become "fixed." In conclusion, we will note that the longer and more littery manures in some seasons "burn '* the plants and that a large proportion of cow manure mixed with these makes a cooler and more suitable compost than horse manure alone. All applications should be thoroughh' mixed and turned under in plowing, as in banking Celery it is far better that clean soil should come in contact witl^ the plants than rank manure ; although — 9 — we have read of a slipshod method of bleaching Celery by piling litter against it, a practice which we cannot commend. VARIETIES. No grower will go amiss in planting the following varieties which have been fully tested in all parts of the country and have become the standard sorts : GIANT GOLDEN HEART, is a large growing variety of ex- cellent quality, handsome and showy in appearance and of fine flavor. We can recommend it for the market gardener and for pri- vate use. In this vicinity this new kind is taking the place of all others for second cropping, as its vigorous and rapid growth when planted in ihe middles of growing rows late in the summer enable it to make a heavy crop in the shorter season allowed by this prac- tice and we strongly recommend it for general crop purposes. GOLDEN DWARF OR GOLDEN HEART, is now a leading sort and is planted more largely than any other, superseding the old giant varieties, since it possesses as large an edible portion in weight as the tall sorts, while it is handled as regards banking and storage ai one-third the expense of the other. It is entirely solid and full hearted, of a waxy golden yellow color when bleached, and is especially valuable for its excellent keeping qualities and because it will Ijlanch a week sooner than any except the so called self- blanching kinds. CRAWFORD'S HALF DWARF, is a little taller in growth than above and different in foliage, it is a strong growing variety of splendid quality and is cultivated here in next larger quantity to the main crop ; it makes an excellent Fall Celery, also keeps well and rarely has hollow stalks. PERFECTION HEARTWELL, is a variety of merit, similar to Crawford's, with more slender stalks, biit heavy at base. A strong grower, good for Fall and early Winter use, but not so good a late keeper as some others. BOSTON MARKET, although not grown so largely here as formerly, this is an excellent variety. It is the staple kind planted by the gardeners about Boston, from whence its name. The leaves are entirely different in coloring from the other dwarfs, being of a dark glossy green, the stalks are very solid and bleach nearly white. It is the best keeper for late Spring use of any of the green kinds, in fact, this quality renders it less easy of early bleaching than onr other ports and for this reason principally is now grown less than heretofore in this district. NEW EARLY MARKET, a strain of the above which can be planted with it as a second crop and matures much earlier than that variety if planted at the same time. Is a short stocky grower and will blanch quickly at any stage of its growth. A well grown plant is about i8 inches high, while at a height of 15 inches the plants are about 12 inches in circumference. Its extreme earliness of bleaching, which can be accomplished two months before the Boston Market can 1)e made fit for use, is likely to bring it to the front. WHITE PLUME is a handsome, crisp sort of very easy culture, the flavor being excellent and its foliage ornamental, white and variegated in color. It is good for Fall and early Winter use only, and is well adapted for " banking " with boards and "double crop- ping" with the other varieties as described later, but does not keep well for latest use. PARIS GOLDEN SELF-BLANCHING, is a handsome French variety of recent introduction which has proven so popular that for the past three years, seed could not be supplied to meet the demand even at three times ordinary prices. The plant is of very handsome appearance, close habit and compact growth. The large heart is of a beautiful golden yellow and even the outer stalks are of a yellowish white color with little if any banking or bleaching. The ribs are perfectly solid, crisp and of the finest flavor. It is au excellent keeper. NELLIS' SELF-BLANCHING, a new variety of much merit possessing the self-blanching qualities and the added advantage of keeping later than White Plume and some others. In habit of growth similar to Golden Dwarf but grows some shorter than that variety. Is worthy of trial by those who like the self-blanching sorts. NEW ROSE, although in this country but little grown for market, their extreme hardiness and superlative keeping qualities make the red Celeries very desirable for family use and deserving of more universal culture. This uew sort is the best of its class and, its heart and stems beautifully shaded to a fine rose color, make it extremely ornamental to the dinner-table. CELERIAC, Large Smooth Prague, (New) short leaved, very smooth, the roots more globular in form than other turnip rooted kinds. Unsurpassed for salad purposes and the most desirable for general culture. From this list as complete a selection can be made as the most enterprising gardener requires, and if pure seed is obtaiued and proper culture observed, the stock will be in lively demand in any market. PL.4NT GROWING. It is best to choose the most sheltered portion of our field for the seed-beds in which to grow our plants, having regard for pre- vailing winds and convenience to water. In our district, many of the fields are so exposed, that when the top soil becomes dry, por- tions of the beds are often bared of covering for the seed, and others are buried several inches by the shift- ing soil driven by the high winds. Often again the sand blast cuts off the young and Pr.ANKER. tender plants caus- ing serious loss. We have never heard similar complaints in other sections and perhaps the caution implied in this is superfluous for most growers. The beds should be more thoroughly enriched upon the surface than the field for the general crop, and then shoiild be plowed or spaded into them a covering of about two inches of well-rotted manure, which should be harrowed or raked fine and then level as perfectly as possible. If the beds are laid out on a large scale, a planker drawn once or twice over the ground will be more effective than any hand raking one could give. Now, with any good seed drill sow the seed thinly in twelve inch rows in the longer direction of the bed for economy in sowing and after cultivation. Cover the seed in light soils from about one- eighth to one-fourth inch deep. AVe do not f a v o r simply treading in the seed, or giving it no covering at all as is sometimes advised, MATTHEW'S LITTLE GEM DRILL. yct our practicc would not do on heavy loam or clay lands. Here less covering is needed and the seed may be firmed in by light rolling. In about three weeks under average favorable_couditions the rows will show sufficiently to begin light cultiva- tion. These plants make feeble growth at first, and a failure now to kill the first crop of weeds is fatal to later easy cultivation. Here a "stitch in time saves more than nine." Cultivate with scuffle hoes and upon a large scale with the " Gem Cultivator" garden roller. which does good work in a short space of time. A few days after this begin hand-weeding and disturb the plants / jy: as little as possible, especially in a dry time — thinning out being postponed until the second weeding, then thin the plants, leaving two to the inch, and mow off the tops several times during SCUFFLE hoe. growth in the plant beds, in fact, every time the plants crowd, an apparently rough treatment, but one which careful hands successfully perform. Cut back large beds with a scythe and small ones with a sharp sickle or even a large pair of shears, taking great care to avoid cutting too low. Leave the hearts of the plants untouched. Plants so grown are fully as good as transplanted ones, not half so liable to sucker and are grown at one- half the expense. This describes our plan of growing for the main crop which is set out in July. For the Juue setting of early Celery, plants are raised from seeds sown in spent hot beds, where we have taken off crops of early lettuce, or seedling cabbage and cauliflower plants to transplant into later frames. A sowing in these vacated beds made from March lo to 15 will afford us plants by June 10 to 20 for our first crop of early Celery, quite as early as It IS advisable to plant and be safe from damage of the crop partially ruu- luuz. to seed — all stalks doing this being iinfit for u'^e 111 case such hot beds are not at hand, a mild hot bed can be made. A GEM CULTIVATOR AND .\TT.\cHMENT. tcmpcrature of 4o° to 45° at night is sufficient, since the hot-bed method is apt to produce spindling plants, unless a low temperature is maintained. It must be properly ventilated and kept reasonably moist or lice will abound. It not infrequently happens that plants in such beds must be fumi- gated. Plants must be properly thinned at the right time and the rows should stand no closer than four inches, every other row being taken up when first transplanting them. They are set when some- what smaller than those grown in open ground and generally need but one shearing before transplanting. Prepared plant-bed cloth is a much better covering for these beds than ^lass sash, using the heaviest %-i cloth, this being the fullest protection at this iaunt iiant hid cloih. season of the year. At Chicago but a small portion of the crop is raised from these early plants, most attention being given to the later crop, which is in greater demand. The above dates are for plants grown for home use, but there — 14 — are plants produced for shipment to other sections, notably the Southern States, where demand does not begin until August 15 and continues until Oct. i, the seeds for which must be sown June 20 to July I in this section. This is mostly dT)ne between the growing rows of other plants, where every other row has been taken out, or as a double crop between any close rows of other vegetables, since it is difficult to raise these plants so late in the season without partial shade. In some other sections of the country they are grown in frames covered with lath or other screens, or are started in the field under mulching which is gradually removed to harden the young plants to the midsummer sun. In estimating the probable quantity of seed needed for a given number of plants, count that an ounce of seed will yield from five to ten thousand plants, though there are quite five times that num- ber of seeds per ounce. Allowances must however be made for the contingencies of germination, growth and thinning. It is quite safe to strike the average at 8,000 good plants from an ounce of seed or 128,000 from one pound. This would plant about four and one-half acres. The cost of seed bears such small relation to the final value of the crop, that the seed buyer can illy afford to hesitate between known reliable seed, even if higher in price, and cheaper but possibly unreliable stock. With a good lot of plants now ready, produced by the foregoing plan, we come to the first stage of field operations in placing them where they are to finally grow. TRANSPLANTING. Transplanting is done about Chicago from June 10 to August 15, the extreme dates for late settings. Between times operations are guided according to the objects in view ; whether this crop is to follow other vegetables, or whether two crops of Celery are to be grown on the same ground, or whether the plants are to be set be- tween growing rows of potatoes, cabbages, onions or sweet corn. When soils are loose and the ground is moist, plants can be pulled by grasping firmly with the hand several stalks at once. This avoids bruising and bref.king of stems and leaves, as happens when the)' are allowed to slip through a hand having a loose grip. When soils are stiffer and the weather is dry, first loosen the earth — 15 — about the plants with a spading fork and lift instead of pulling them, thus saving many fibrous roots. A portion of the tops and the ends of the tap roots should be sheared off, which can be done quickly by handfuls and the plants then placed upright in shallow boxes, with bottoms covered with damp soil or moss. If plants are lifted in dry weather and some time in advance of setting, dip each handful into thin "grout" coating the whole lengths of the roots, thus preventing evaporation while new fibres form. With these precautions to prevent wilting, it is better to take up plants a day in advance of using, than to transplant immediately. The fine white roots soon push through this coating, sometimes in twelve or eighteen hours and take quicker and better hold in their new beds, than if set out in the same hour they are lifted. With this same treatment plants, if properly packed to avoid heating, can be successfully shipped to distances requiring two or three days in transit. We have in some instances sent them out when it required five days to reach their destination. Contrary to general belief, plants do not begin to die as soon as removed from their seedbed, but summon their energies to survive the shock, and if met with proper conditions will live longer than is generally sup- posed. When carelessly lifted however, with the tops left un- sheared and the plants allowed to dry out, there is not sufficient vitality to withstand the shock of removal and such management. Though the plants are to be kept moist, yet observe this caution, NEVER WATER THE TOPS WHEN CLOSELY PACKED. If sheared aS directed they will absorb sufficient moisture from the bed of wet soil or moss in the bottoms of the packing boxes, while watering the close mass of tops would surely cause them to rot. There are yearly losses in shipment because of such treatment, sometimes done when first packed, and often by well-meaning but ill advised employees who handle them in transit. Our plants being in shape for setting and our ground in proper tilth, we make our furrows from three to four feet apart. Plants ought to be carried in small handfuls by the planter, and be firmly set with dil)ljer or transplanting trowel just to the crown of the root and no deeper ; by this method plants are not so apt to sucker and violent rains will not wash the soil over Transplanting the new and tender hearts just pushing forth, which sometimes causes rot. One quick thrust of the dibber makes — i6 — the hole, and another next to it closes the soil firmly against the plant. This is sufficient. A fussing and hovering over each plant as it is set, is worse than useless. It hurts the plant as well as wastes valuable time. A good, skillful workman should set from five to seven thousand plants per day, though from four to five thousand is considered an average day's work. A bright boy carrying and dis- tributing plants will prevent delay. With our favorable soil on cloudy days and most others except windy, dry and hot ones, one can set all day without interruption. Setting just before a rain is better than just after. Great care should be taken on clay and loam soils to avoid tramping the ground after rains as it packs it injuriously. 