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each plant by knotting around it a short piece of string, fasten the string around the first plant in a row, then pass to the second plant and around it without cutting or breaking the string; while the string is being carried around the plant with the right hand, the outside leaves are brought up together with the left hand and held in place by the string, and so on from plant to plant until the whole row is held up without breaking the string and by tying it at the ends of the row only. The work of tying is greatly facilitated by strapping to the right forearm a tin can in which the ball of cord is placed, the inside end of the string being delivered through a hole in the bottom of the can from which it passes between the thumb and finger and around the plants. The paper twine is manufactured by twisting a strip of paper and it will go to pieces as soon as it becomes thoroughly moistened, and for this reason offers no resistance to the growth of the celery, but merely holds the stalks together until the earth is thrown around them and compacted.

Another method for holding the celery in position for banking with earth, is by setting up boards along the row, as for blanching with boards, then after the earth has been thrown up against the boards they are lifted out and removed. Where celery planted in solid beds is banked with earth, the entire amount of soil required must be shoveled in by hand, but the work is greatly facilitated by tying the plants or by setting boards temporarily between the rows and then removing them after the earth has been thrown in.

Blanching with Tile.-A very satisfactory method of blanching celery on a small scale is by means of ordinary unglazed farm drain tiles of 3 or 4 inches

FIG. 41-BLANCHING CELERY BY MEANS OF DRAIN TILES

inside diameter,

placed over the plants after they' have become almost fully grown. To facilitate the work of placing the tiles over the plants, some of the outside leaves should be pulled

away and the

main part of the plant loosely tied together by means of paper twine. The tiles will cause the leaves all to draw upward over the tops of the tiles, forming a screen to This system of

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shut out the light from the interior. blanching celery is very desirable on account of its cleanliness, as the product will require very little washing before marketing. When tiles are used for blanching celery during warm weather, a small opening should be left at the bottom in order to provide a cir

culation of air through the tile, otherwise decay may follow as a result of insufficient ventilation.

Various Methods of Blanching Celery.-Another method of blanching is by means of straw or leaves, but this is objectionable as the material used generally imparts an undesirable flavor to the celery. The use for blanching purposes of any material that is in process of decomposition will cause the loss of the crop from diseases. Wrapping paper is sometimes employed for blanching celery on a small scale by placing two or three layers around the plants and fastening by tying with string or with rubber bands. This method of blanching is not highly recommended, as it does not produce a good grade of celery.

Blanching for Winter Use.-Celery that is to be stored for winter use will require very little blanching in the field, and that which is blanched least will keep best in storage. While growing in the field. the plants should have sufficient soil placed about them to insure an upright, compact growth. If the celery is wanted for use during the early part of the winter, it will be necessary to carry the blanching process further than if it is to be kept until later.

CHAPTER XII

Storing Celery

WHILE in storage celery should be kept cool, without freezing, rather moist but well ventilated, and where it will be accessible for removal as required for use. Celery should never be stored in cellars or pits where there are decaying vegetables or roots, as it is very susceptible to any odor and the flavor will be impaired. No tar paper, green lumber, or decaying vegetable matter should be used in the construction or around the storage cellar, pit, or trench. Where it is necessary to supply artificial heat in order to prevent the celery freezing in the storehouse, care should be taken that none of the smoke or gases from the heater escape within the enclosure. The use of oil lamps and stoves or the building of an open fire in the storehouse will impart an unpleasant flavor to the celery. If artificial heat is absolutely necessary it should be supplied from a tight stove attached to a substantial flue or chimney, or in places where a steam or hot water heating plant is being used for heating greenhouses or the dwelling a few pipes can be placed in the celery storehouse and controlled by valves.

Storing Where Grown.-The plan of storage usually adopted where celery is produced on a small scale for home use, is to bank with earth and cover where grown. Late in the season the earth is

banked well up around the plants, and as the weather becomes colder, the soil is brought up to the tops of the plants so that only a few of the tips of the leaves will be exposed. After a few days the ridge is crowned by a covering of straw, leaves, or corn fodder, held in place by boards or earth. When the ground begins freezing the entire ridge should be covered to a depth of 3 or 4 inches with coarse stable manure or any material that will prevent freezing. Celery will withstand considerable frost, but its keeping qualities will be impaired if the tops become frozen. The celery can be removed from the ridges as required for use, but will be quite inaccessible during a portion of the winter.

Storing in Temporary Pit or in Vacant Hotbed.The celery intended for winter use may be partially blanched in the field or garden, and the plants removed with a part of their roots attached to the storage pit or cellar. A permanent hotbed forms a convenient celery storage by cleaning out the pit and placing 4 or 5 inches of fine loose soil in the bottom. The roots of the celery may be bedded in this loose soil quite close together, so that the plants will be almost touching when in place, or about 4 inches in each direction. After the celery is all in place, a covering of boards should be put on and the bed well ventilated until the weather becomes quite cool, when a covering of corn fodder, leaves, pine needles, or coarse manure should be added. If a hotbed is not available for the storage of the home supply of celery, a pit may be made by excavating a trench 18 inches deep, 4 to 6 feet wide, and

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