Complete Text (Part 8)

or by securing the tops together by nailed cleats or bent wire. Set the boards when the plants will show but a few leaves above them. The plants shoot up for the light, then fill the space between the boards, and exclude air and moisture. Set boards only when the plants are dry. Blanching will be completed in two weeks or more. For this method, set the rows two to three feet apart, plants, six inches or more in the rows. (2) Earthing. — The best autumn method, giving the best quality of Celery and protecting against frost. Earth only when the plants are dry, and do not begin until the hearts of the plants are four inches or more above the ground, so that the stalks protect the center of the plant from the earth. 82 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES The first earthing is chiefly to begin the upright growth. Unit] the spreading leaves together with one hand and bank the earth around the base of the plant with the other; or tie the whole row at a time with one piece of string (or best with "paper twine") by [Missing it in and out between the plants, securing only to the end plants. Then earth up by hand or by plow. Later earthings, of which there are two or even three, are made as the plants shoot up. Never get the earth higher than the heart of the plant, or it will wash into it and spoil it. For this method, plants are set in rows four feet or more apart; or sometimes two rows are set a foot apart (four feet between the double rows) and both earthed up together; plants six inches or more apart in the row. CELERY (8) The "New method" of blanching consists in setting the plants in a bed, six inches or more each way according to variety, with boards set at the edges when the plants are tall enough. The plants, as they grow, keep the light from their stalks and blanch them- selves. For this purpose the soil, must be especially Fis. «. The "New Culture- of Celery. The plants are set closely to- gether and the patches edged with boards. By this method Celery blanches itself. rich and moisture plentiful; irrigation is usually neces- sary. The so-called self- blanching varieties are best for this method. (4) Blanrhing in storage is for winter Celery, which, if thoroughly blanched when taken from the field, will sometimes rot in storage. For this method the rows are not set more than two feet six inches apart, and earthed up once, to secure upright growth and to start the blanching. At the approach of winter the plants are taken up, the roots trimmed and then packed closely together in pits, sheds or boxes in the THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES cellar; there they will complete their blanching. If tied when earthed, they can be more conveniently handled. Other methods of blanching, on a small scale or for exhibition, consist chiefly in tying the plants in an upright position with soft cord, worsted or " paper twine," and wrapping with paper or cov- ering with drain-tiles. These plants are often earthed as well, especially in cold weather. Fi*. is. Storage. — Methods are as numer- Celery plan la net in a „ ,. , . ., trench for early win- °us as lor blanching, 111 pits or 111 ter storage. empty coldframes, in trenches, or in the rows as earthed up, covered with matting, straw, lioards, tar-paper, or glass, to exclude frost and mois- ture. Houses are often specially built. For home storage, the following method is probably the best on a small scale. In a box somewhat deeper than the plants, put two or three inches of sand, soil, or coal ashes. Take up the plants, trimming the masses of roots to small cubes with the spade, and pack thein closely in the box. Set in a cool cellar, with little light, and occasionally water the plants by means of a funnel or long pipe, or through holes bored in the sides of the Ik>x above the roots, taking care not to wet the leaves. The plants will complete their blanching, and, if the CELERY 85 room is not too warm or moist, will keep for a number of months. Diseases. — Against leaf-blight, spray with Bordeaux ■ when the plants are young; later with a weak solution of ammoniacal copper carbonate every two weeks. For leaf-spot, use healthy seed on healthy land and spray early and regularly with Bordeaux. Against storage diseases, store in a dry place. Pests are seldom bothersome. For the lettuce- and other worms and for the celery -caterpillar, use insect powders when the dew is on. Hellebore and pyrethrum are the safest to use. For flea-beetles, Bordeaux; tobacco in powder or decoction. For the two tortrixes, pyrethrum and water, sprayed forcibly. For aphis, kerosene emulsion or tobacco water. For the little negro-bug, carbolic acid, a teaspoonful to two gallons of water, carbolic 86 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES acid emulsion of the same relative strength, or a tea- spoonful of carbolic acid to one bushel of lime, dusted on. For Celery borer, hand picking. For thrips, see Onion. CELERY, KNOB or TURNIP - ROOTED. See Celeriac. CHAMOMILE. See Camomile. CHARD (Beta vulgaris or B. Cycla\ variously known in its varieties as Swiss Chard, Silver Beet, Leaf Beet, Kale or Sea- kale Beet, Swiss Beet, Spinach Beet, and Asparagus Beet, is a vegetable little known in this country, and, though sometimes found in the markets, not offered by all our seedsmen. Yet it deserves to be better known, on account of its productiveness, quick growth, and simple culture, as well as for its capacity of yielding a double crop, in two senses. It bears a thick, broad leaf upon a fleshy stalk ; when picked, the leaves may be served as spinach, the stalks or midribs of the leaves as Chards (see under Artichoke). The plants can be stripped of all but their small leaves and will bear again, or the large leaves may be picked through an ex- tended season. The plants grow quickly; thinnings may be transplanted. Although the plant is of the beet family, its root is inconsiderable as food. Chard is very hardy and will stand severe frosts. Varieties are several (ac- wW* CHARD 87 cording to color and to the size of the stalks, which varies considerably) but are little offered in America. No serious pests or diseases. Soil. — Any moder- ately rich garden soil, not too wet. Distances. — Rows eighteen to twenty-one inches, or, if the plants are to be allowed to grow individually to their full size, two feet apart. Depth, an inch or less. Sow as early as the ground can be worked, and for succession every three or four weeks. Thin at first to three inches in the rows. Thinnings may be trans- planted. Fertilizer. — Nitrate of soda or liquid manure, applied at intervals throughout the season. Management. — A row of Chard is best managed as follows : Thin when the plants are about six inches tall, to three inches apart in the rows, the thinnings to be 88 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES eaten, leaves and ribs together. Thin again to six inches, and again to a foot or more. When the ribs or stalks are large enough, they may be used separately from the leaves. When the plants stand a foot to eighteen inches apart in the rows, pull the leaves as needed, or strip from the plants all but the interior head, leaving that to grow again. In this way the plants will yield for a considerable time. The varieties of which the midribs are small may be managed in much the same manner, serving leaf and stalk together, and not thinning to more than a foot. Forcing, — Chard may be raised under glass ; or the plants may be covered in the open as winter approaches, and will give repeated pickings. Lifted with balls of earth and taken into a greenhouse or put into a mild hotbed, they will yield for a long time. CHERRY, BLADDER, GROUND or WINTER. See Tomato, Strawberry. CHERVIL. There are two plants of the name (for Sweet-scented Chervil, see Sweet Cicely). (1) Salad or Leaf Chervil (Scandix cerefolium). An annual plant grown for its leaves, used in salads and garnishing. It is much esteemed in Europe, especially by the French, and is the chief ingredient of fines herbes. It is very hardy to frost, but tender to heat; in our climate it needs a cool location, or it will soon run to CHERVIL 89 seed. There are two varieties, the plain and the curled ; Vilmorin-Andrieux points out that the latter, being unmistakable, cannot be used instead of the poisonous plants of its family, the Umbelliferae. No serious dis- eases or pests are reported. Soil. — Any good soil, but preferably cool and moist. In summer should have shade or a northern aspect. Distances. — Rows a foot or more apart ; plants eight to ten inches in the row. Depth. — Shallow, — about one- fourth inch. Sow as soon as the ground can be worked. Thin 9 early to eight or ten inches in the row. Pick when the leaves are full grown. Several cut- tings are possible from the plant, through the season. Mature in six to eight weeks. Successional sowing in late summer, for fall use, will be necessary where summers are hot. Protection. — The plants can be wintered in a cold- frame, and the leaves picked through a mild winter. In the open they will live through under a light covering, except where winters are severe. (2) Turnip-rooted Chervil (Bulbous-rooted or Tu- berous Chervil ; Chcerophyllum bulbosum) is a biennial or plur-annual plant, grown for its tuberous roots, which are used like carrot, although gray in color, and sweeter. It is of difficult management, the seeds being of short germinating power, and germinating slowly, if at all, when kept dry over winter. The roots mature 90 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES usually in July, when the foliage begins to die, but the tubers improve by remaining in the ground. Soil moist. Distances. — Rows twelve inches apart. Depth, about one-half inch. Sow. — It is best to stratify the seeds over winter ; they will start soon after sowing in the spring, when ground is fit. Otherwise sow as soon as ripe, or in the fall ; fall-sown seed will sometimes wait a year before sprouting. Thin to six inches in the rows. Harvest late in the fall. Store in sand in the cellar, away from frost. • CHICORY, Succory, or Wild Endive (see Endive), Chkorium Intybus, is a plant of somewhat varied uses, well known in Europe, but not yet known in America in all its possibilities. Commercially, the large-rooted varieties are now cultivated in America for the roots, used as a substitute for and adulterant of coffee. In the garden, Chicory may be grown as a root or a salad crop, its roots being best when young and its leaves when blanched or forced. The roots are cooked like carrot; the leaves are cut up for salads or boiled like Brussels sprouts. The roots are hardy and will live over winter, producing a new crop of leaves in the spring, after which they will be of little value. Vil- morin-Andrieux gives six varieties; American seeds- CHICORY 91 men, when they have the seeds at all, seldom offer more than three kinds. Enemies of Chicory are not troublesome. The plant is cultivated according to the results desired. Grown for the leaves without blanching or forcing, the roots are allowed to remain a few inches apart in the row, and the leaves cut when six to eight Fig. M. Seedlings of Chicory. Two-thirds natural sin inches long, several times in the season. They are bitter, like dandelion, and are best cooked in two waters. The especial delicacies from Chicory are, how- ever, the Blanched Chicory, the Barbe de Capucin, and the Witloof, all of which can be grown from any variety according to the system of management, although for the last two the larger varieties are best. These are the Large-rooted (Brunswick or Magdeburg), which is the Chicory of commerce, and the Witloof or Brussels. Soil, — If not raised for forcing, any good garden 92 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES soil will do. For forcing or for the roots, Chicory grows best in a deep loam, in good tilth, not rich in nitro- gen or recently manured, and with an open subsoil. Commercially, "it may be said to thrive upon all stone- free soils that will produce paying staple crops, except clays (too hard), lightest sands (too dry) and mucks (too rich in nitrogen and too sour)/ 1 (Cyclopedia of American Horticulture.) Distances, — Rows fifteen inches to two feet. Depth. — About one inch. Sow as soon as the ground can be worked. Sow thickly for green leaves or outdoor blanching; thinly, for the roots or for forcing. Thin to two to three inches in the row for leaves, six to eight inches for roots or for forcing. Culture as for carrots or salsify. Fertilizer. — As for root crops: little nitrogen, good amounts of phosphoric acid and potash. Commercially, should not follow clover, but if the plants are grown for the leaves, nitrogen may be given. Cut the leaves when young, six to eight inches long, and as often as they grow again. After the last fall cutting, the roots may be left in the ground over winter for a spring cutting. Blanching out-of-doors is the same as for endive, — by pots, boards, or by earthing up. The leaves are, for this purpose, allowed to grow to a foot or more in length before cutting off the light. They are more CHICORY 93 tender and less bitter when blanched than when green. Roots for the table should be taken up when small, four to six inches long. For forcings the plants are allowed to grow all summer, without cutting the tops; in the fall the roots should be from an inch to two inches in diameter in the Witloof, larger in the Magdeburg. Products of forcing are the Barbe de Capucin and Witloof. (1) Barbe de Capucin. Until quite recently this was grown even in France from the common Chicory; of late years the larger varieties have been used with success, when not full grown. Take up the roots as they. come, without trimming or shortening, cutting only the tops to within an inch of the crown. Lay them in sand in tiers, in boxes or the floor or bench, the crowns showing for about an inch; the heap when formed will have a backward-sloping face; earth may be used instead of sand. Moisten, and cover from the light, leaving room for the leaves to grow. The tem- perature of an ordinary cellar will do, best at 55° to 60°. In about twenty days, loose blanched leaves may be. cut, and often a second and third crop. A succession may be kept up through the winter. (2) Witloof is best grown from the Witloof or Brussels Chicory, though the Magdeburg will serve. Take up the roots in the fall, discarding all with more than one crown, or with very narrow or divided leaves. Trim to a uniform length of eight to ten inches. Out- 94 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES of-door forcing may be done in a trench, setting the roots upright one and one-half to two inches apart, eight inches below the surface, and covering with light soil ; then heap with warm manure to a depth of from eighteen inches to two feet. In about a month the Witloof, like a close head of Cos lettuce, will be formed. But forcing is best done indoors, under a green- house bench, or in a warm cellar, the roots plunged in soil or tanbark up to their crowns, and covered with about two feet of manure; in this way a quicker result is secured. When the Witloof is cut, if the roots are left in place, smaller leaves, loose like the Barbe de Capucin, will be produced for a second crop. CHINESE PRESERVING MELON. See Water- melon. CHIVE or Chives. See Cive. CHUFA, or Rush-Nut (Cyperus rotundas or C esculentus), is a species of sedge, whose tuberous roots, or "nuts," less than an inch long, are much liked in the South, and in the south of Europe, when eaten baked or raw. The flavor is sweet; the nuts are some- times ground to make a kind of coffee. The plant is lit- tle grown in the North, where it does not mature well. Soil. — Moist. CHUFA— CIVE 95 Distances. — Rows a foot or more apart. Depth. — Tubers, one to two inches, root divisions as before. Set six inches apart in the rows. Dig in the fall, and store from frost. The nuts become sweeter as they dry. CIBOULK. See Onion, Welsh. CITRON. See Watermelon. CIVE, Chive or Chives, or Chive-garlic {Allium Stfwznoprasum) is a plant of the onion family, peren- nial and hardy. It is grown for its leaves, which have a mild onion flavor and are used in seasoning. They may be cut throughout the season. No varieties, diseases or pests. Propagated by seed or roots. Soil, — Any good garden soil. Distances. — Rows a foot or more apart, plants six Fi *- * T - A clump of cive. inches or a foot in the row. The roots of Cive, however, rapidly multiply into clumps, so that it is best grown in solid rows if in any quantity, and is often used for an edging, where its small violet sterile flowers are handsome. 96 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES Depth of seed, one-half inch. Of roots, the same