THE FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES OF AMERICA TEXT

may be sown either in autumn or spring. Sow in drills ten inches apart, half or three-fourths of an inch deep; and thin, while the plants are young, to six or eight inches in the row. If the seeds are allowed to scatter from the plants in autumn, young seedlings will come up plentifully in the following spring, and may be transplanted to the distances before directed. In dry soil, the plants will continue for many years; requiring no further care than to be occasionally hoed, and kept free from weeds. It may also be propagated by dividing the roots; but, as it is easily grown from seeds, this method is not generally practised. _Use._--The leaves have a warm, piquant taste, and, when bruised, resemble cucumbers in odor. They are sometimes used as salad, and occasionally form an ingredient in soups. The roots, after being dried and pulverized, are employed in cases of internal hemorrhage. It is very little used in this country, and rarely seen in gardens. _Varieties._--There are three varieties; the distinctions, however, being neither permanent nor important. HAIRY-LEAVED BURNET. Leaves and stems comparatively rough or hairy; in other respects, similar to the Smooth-leaved. Either of the varieties may be propagated by dividing the roots. LARGE-SEEDED BURNET. This, like the others, is a sub-variety, and probably but a seminal variation. SMOOTH-LEAVED BURNET. Leaves and stems of the plant comparatively smooth, but differing in no other particular from the Hairy-leaved. Seeds from this variety would probably produce plants answering to both descriptions. * * * * * CATERPILLAR. Chenille, of the French. _Vil._ Scorpiurus. All of the species here described are hardy, annual plants, with creeping or recumbent stems, usually about two feet in length. The leaves are oblong, entire on the borders, broadest near the ends, and taper towards the stem; the flowers are yellow, and quite small; the seeds are produced in caterpillar-like pods, and retain their vitality five years. _Cultivation._--The seeds may be planted in the open ground in April or May; or the plants may be started in a hot-bed, and set out after settled warm weather. The rows should be fifteen inches apart, and the plants twelve or fifteen inches apart in the rows; or the plants may be grown in hills two feet and a half apart, and two or three plants allowed to a hill. _Use._--No part of the plant is eatable; but the pods, in their green state, are placed upon dishes of salads, where they so nearly resemble certain species of caterpillars as to completely deceive the uninitiated or inexperienced. _Species._--The species cultivated are the following; viz.:-- COMMON CATERPILLAR. Chenille grosse. _Vil._ Scorpiurus vermiculata. Pod, or fruit, comparatively large. The interior grooves, or furrows, are indistinct, or quite wanting: the exterior grooves are ten in number, and well defined. Along the summit of these furrows are produced numerous, small, pedicelled tubercles, quite similar to those of some species of worms or caterpillars; and these small tufts, in connection with the brownish-green color and peculiar coiling of the pods, make the resemblance nearly perfect, especially if seen from a short distance. The seeds are large, oblong, flattened at the ends, and of a yellowish color. A well-developed fruit will measure about three-eighths of an inch in diameter; and, when uncoiled, nearly an inch and a half in length. FURROWED CATERPILLAR. Chenille rayée. _Vil._ Scorpiurus sulcata. Fruit rather slender, furrowed, grayish-green within the furrows, and brown along the summits. Four of the exterior furrows are surmounted with numerous small, obtuse, or rounded tubercles; and the pods are coiled in the manner peculiar to the class. The seeds resemble those of the Prickly Caterpillar, but are of larger size. PRICKLY CATERPILLAR. _Vil._ Small Caterpillar. Scorpiurus muricata. Pod, or fruit, a fourth of an inch in diameter, curved or coiled; longitudinally furrowed, with numerous, small, erect, tufted points, regularly arranged along the surface. It is of a brownish-red color, with shades of green; and, when well grown, bears a remarkable resemblance to some species of hairy worms or caterpillars. The seeds are large, long, wrinkled, and of a yellowish color. VILLOUS OR HAIRY CATERPILLAR. Chenille velue. _Vil._ Scorpiurus subvillosa. This species resembles the Prickly Caterpillar, but is a little larger. The most marked distinction, however, is in the small points, or tubercles, placed along the longitudinal ridges, which in this species are recurved, or bent at the tips. The seeds are larger than those of the foregoing species. * * * * * CELERY. Smallage. Apium graveolens. Celery, or Smallage, is a hardy, umbelliferous, biennial plant, growing naturally "by the sides of ditches and near the sea, where it rises with wedge-shaped leaves and a furrowed stalk, producing greenish flowers in August." Under cultivation, the leaves are pinnatifid, with triangular leaflets; the leaf-stems are large, rounded, grooved, succulent, and solid or hollow according to the variety. The plant flowers during the second year, and then measures from two to three feet in height; the flowers are small, yellowish-white, and are produced in umbels, or flat, spreading groups, at the extremities of the branches; the seeds are small, somewhat triangular, of a yellowish-brown color, aromatic when bruised, and of a warm, pleasant flavor. They are said to retain their germinative powers ten years; but, by seedsmen, are not considered reliable when more than five years old. An ounce contains nearly seventy thousand seeds. _Soil._--Any good garden soil, in a fair state of cultivation, is adapted to the growth of Celery. _Propagation._--It is always propagated by seed; one-fourth of an ounce of which is sufficient for a seed-bed five feet wide and ten feet long. The first sowing is usually made in a hot-bed in March: and it may be sown in the open ground in April or May; but, when so treated, vegetates slowly, often remaining in the earth several weeks before it comes up. "A bushel or two of stable manure, put in a hole in the ground against a wall or any fence facing the south, and covered with a rich, fine mould three or four inches deep, will bring the seed up in two weeks." If this method is practised, sprinkle the seed thinly over the surface of the loam, stir the soil to the depth of half an inch, and press the earth flat and smooth with the back of a spade. Sufficient plants for any family may be started in a large flower-pot or two, placed in the sitting-room, giving them plenty of light and moisture. _Cultivation._--As soon as the young plants are about three inches high, prepare a small bed in the open air, and make the ground rich and the earth fine. Here set out the plants for a temporary growth, placing them four inches apart. This should be done carefully; and they should be gently watered once, and protected for a day or two against the sun. "A bed ten feet long and four feet wide will contain three hundred and sixty plants; and, if they be well cultivated, will more than supply the table of a common-sized family from October to May." "In this bed the plants should remain till the beginning or middle of July, when they should be removed into trenches. Make the trenches a foot or fifteen inches deep and a foot wide, and not less than five feet apart. Lay the earth taken out of the trenches into the middle of the space between the trenches, so that it may not be washed into them by heavy rains; for it will, in such case, materially injure the crop by covering the hearts of the plants. At the bottom of the trench put some good, rich, but well-digested compost manure; for, if too fresh, the Celery will be rank and pipy, or hollow, and will not keep nearly so long or so well. Dig this manure in, and make the earth fine and light; then take up the plants from the temporary bed, and set them out carefully in the bottom of the trenches, six or eight inches apart."--_Corb._ It is the practice of some cultivators, at the time of setting in the trenches, to remove all the suckers, to shorten the long roots, and to cut the leaves off, so that the whole plant shall be about six inches in length. But the best growers in England have abandoned this method, and now set the plants, roots and tops, entire. _Blanching._--"When the plants begin to grow (which they will quickly do), hoe on each side and between them with a small hoe. As they grow up, earth their stems; that is, put the earth up against them, but not too much at a time, and always when the plants are dry; and let the earth put up be finely broken, and not at all cloddy. While this is being done, keep the stalks of the outside leaves close up, to prevent the earth getting between the stems of the outside leaves and inner ones; for, if it gets there, it checks the plant, and makes the Celery bad. When the earthing is commenced, take first the edges of the trenches, working backwards, time after time, till the earth is reached that was taken from the trenches; and, by this time, the earth against the plants will be above the level of the land. Then take the earth out of the middle, till at last the earth against the plants forms a ridge; and the middle of each interval, a sort of gutter. Earth up very often, not putting up much at a time, every week a little; and by the last of September, or beginning of October, it will be blanched sufficient for use."--_Corb._ Another (more recent) method of cultivation and blanching is to take the plants from the temporary bed, remove the suckers, and set them with the roots entire, ten inches apart in the trenches. They are then allowed to grow until they have attained nearly their full size, when the earth for blanching is more rapidly applied than in the previous method. "Many plant on the surface,--that is, marking out the size of the bed on ground that has been previously trenched; digging in at least six or eight inches of rich, half-decayed manure, and planting either in single lines four feet apart, or making beds six feet broad, and planting across them, setting the rows fourteen inches apart, and the plants eight inches apart in the lines. They may be earthed up as they advance, or not, until they have attained the height of a foot."--_M'Int._ M'Intosh gives the following method, practised by the Edinburgh market-gardeners: "Trenches, six feet wide and one foot deep, are dug out; the bottom is loosened and well enriched, and the plants set in rows across the bed, fourteen inches asunder, and the plants nine inches apart in the rows. By this means, space is economized, and the plants attain a fair average size and quality. The same plan is very often followed in private gardens; and, where the new and improved sorts are grown, they arrive at the size most available for family use. This is one of the best methods for amateurs to grow this crop. They should grow their plants in the temporary or nursery beds until they are ten inches or a foot high, before planting in the trenches; giving plenty of water, and afterwards earthing up once a fortnight." Some allow the plants to make a natural growth, and earth up at once, about three weeks before being required for use. When so treated, the stalks are of remarkable whiteness, crisp, tender, and less liable to russet-brown spots than when the plants are blanched by the more common method. _Taking the Crop._--Before the closing-up of the ground, the principal part of the crop should be carefully taken up (retaining the roots and soil naturally adhering), and removed to the cellar; where they should be packed in moderately moist earth or sand, without covering the ends of the leaves. A portion may be allowed to remain in the open ground; but the hearts of the plants must be protected from wet weather. This may be done by placing boards lengthwise, in the form of a roof, over the ridges. As soon as the frost leaves the ground in spring, or at any time during the winter when the weather will admit, Celery may be taken for use directly from the garden. _Seed._--Two or three plants will produce an abundance. They should be grown two feet apart, and may remain in the open ground during the winter. The seeds ripen in August. _Use._--The stems of the leaves are the parts of the plant used. These, after being blanched, are exceedingly crisp and tender, with an agreeable and peculiarly aromatic flavor. They are sometimes employed in soups; but are more generally served crude, with the addition of oil, mustard, and vinegar, or with salt only. The seeds have the taste and odor of the stems of the leaves, and are often used in their stead for flavoring soups. With perhaps the exception of Lettuce, Celery is more generally used in this country than any other salad plant. It succeeds well throughout the Northern and Middle States; and, in the vicinity of some of our large cities, is produced of remarkable size and excellence. _Varieties._-- BOSTON-MARKET CELERY. A medium-sized, white variety; hardy, crisp, succulent, and mild flavored. Compared with the White Solid, the stalks are more numerous, shorter, not so thick, and much finer in texture. It blanches quickly, and is recommended for its hardiness and crispness; the stalks rarely becoming stringy or fibrous, even at an advanced stage of growth. Much grown by market-gardeners in the vicinity of Boston, Mass. COLE'S SUPERB RED. _M'Int._ This is comparatively a new sort, of much excellence, and of remarkable solidity. It is not of large size, but well adapted for cultivation in the kitchen-garden and for family use; not so well suited for marketing or for exhibition purposes. It has the valuable property of not piping or becoming hollow or stringy, and remains long without running to seed. The leaf-stalks are of a fine purple color, tender, crisp, and fine flavored. A well-grown plant will weigh about six pounds. COLE'S SUPERB WHITE. Much like Cole's Superb Red; differing little, except in color. An excellent sort, hardy, runs late to seed, and is one of the most crisp and tender of the white sorts. Stalks short and thick. DWARF CURLED WHITE. Céleri Nain frisé. _Vil._ Leaves dark-green, curled, resembling those of Parsley, and, like it, might be employed for garnishing. Leaf-stalks rounded and grooved, comparatively crisp and solid, but not fine flavored. It is quite hardy, and, in moderate winters, will remain in the open ground without injury, and serve for soups in spring. Its fine, curled foliage, however, is its greatest recommendation. EARLY DWARF SOLID WHITE. _Thomp._ Céleri plein, blanc, court, hâtif. _Vil._ Rather dwarf, but thick-stemmed. The heart is remarkably full; the leaf-stalk solid, blanching promptly. There is, in fact, much more finely blanched substance in a plant of this variety than in one of the tall sorts, and the quality is excellent. It comes into use rather early, and is one of the hardiest of the White varieties. ITALIAN CELERY. _Thomp._ Large Upright. Giant Patagonian. A tall, strong-growing, erect sort; leaf-stems deeply furrowed, sometimes a little hollow; leaves large, deep-green, with coarse, obtuse serratures. It is not so crisp as the Common White Solid; and is suitable only for soups, or where very tall Celery is desirable. LAING'S IMPROVED MAMMOTH RED CELERY. This is considered the largest variety yet produced; specimens having attained, in England, the extraordinary weight of eight or ten pounds, and at the same time perfectly solid. It is nearly perennial in its habit, as it will not run to seed the first year; and is with difficulty started to blossom even during the second, when planted out for the purpose. Color bright-red; flavor unsurpassed, if equalled. MANCHESTER RED CELERY. _Thomp._ Manchester Red Giant. This variety scarcely differs from the Red Solid. It has, however, a coarser habit, with a somewhat rounder stalk; and, this being the case, the heart is not so compact. It is grown largely for marketing, and is excellent for soups and stewing. NUTT'S CHAMPION WHITE CELERY. _M'Int._ Originated with Mr. Nutt, of Sheffield. It attains, under good management, in good soil, a large size, and, this considered, is of excellent quality; very white, and not apt to run to seed. RED SOLID. _Thomp._ New Large Red. New Large Purple. Tours Purple. Céleri violet de Tours. The plant grows to a large size, full-hearted, with a thick stem. Leaf-stalks thick, deeply furrowed, and very solid, of a dark-red or purplish hue where exposed, rose-colored where partially blanched; but the perfectly blanched portion is pure white, more so than the blanched part of the White varieties of Celery. It is also crisp, of excellent flavor, and unquestionably the best variety of Red Celery. SEYMOUR'S SUPERB WHITE. _Thomp._ Seymour's Superb White Solid. A large-sized, vigorous-growing variety; in good soils, often attaining a height of nearly three feet. The stalks are solid; flat at the base, where they overlap, and form a compact, crisp, and, with ordinary care, a well-blanched heart of excellent quality. It succeeds best, as most other sorts do, in rich, moist soil; and when so grown, and properly blanched, will yield a large proportion of Celery, of a pure white color, and of the best quality. It is one of the best sorts for extensive culture for the markets, as it is also one of the best varieties for small gardens for family use. It blanches readily; and, with little care, will supply the table, from the last of September, through most of the winter. SEYMOUR'S WHITE CHAMPION. A variety represented as being superior to Seymour's Superb White. The stalks are broad, flat at the base, and form a compact, well-blanched, crisp heart. SHEPHERD'S RED. _Thomp._ Shepherd's Giant Red. Much like the Manchester Red, but has flatter stems: consequently, it is more compact, and blanches sooner and more perfectly, than that variety; to which, for these reasons, it is preferred by growers for competition. SMALL DUTCH CELERY. Céleri à couper. _Vil._ Leaf-stems small, hollow, crisp, and succulent; sprouts, or suckers, abundant. It is seldom blanched; but the leaves are sometimes used for flavoring soups. The seeds should be sown thickly, and on level beds. The plants often resprout after being cut. Not much cultivated. SUTTON'S WHITE SOLID. _M'Int._ A very large yet solid-growing variety, exceedingly white and crisp. TURKEY OR PRUSSIAN CELERY. Giant White. Céleri turc. _Vil._ Turkish Giant Solid. A remarkably large variety, resembling the Common White Solid. Leaf-stalks long, large, erect, fleshy, and solid; leaves large, with rounded serratures, and of a glossy-green color. It is one of the largest of the White sorts, and is considered superior to the Common White Solid. WALL'S WHITE CELERY. _Thomp._ An improved variety of the Italian, esteemed by growers for competition, where quantity, not quality, is the principal consideration. WHITE LION'S-PAW CELERY. _M'Int._ Lion's-paw. A short, broad, flat-stalked variety, of excellent quality; crisp and white. Its short, flat, spreading habit gave rise to its name. WHITE SOLID. _Thomp._ Céleri plein, blanc. _Vil._ Fine White Solid. This variety is of strong and rather tall growth; leaf-stalks generally solid, but when grown in rich, highly manured soil, they sometimes become slightly hollow; leaves large, smooth, bright-green; serratures large and obtuse. It blanches readily, is crisp, of excellent quality, and comes into use earlier than the Red sorts. It is generally cultivated in the Northern States, not only on account of its hardiness, but for its keeping qualities. As a market variety, it is one of the best. * * * * * CELERIAC, OR TURNIP-ROOTED CELERY.