There is nothing
better than leaves, which cost only the gathering. From now till
April, when you want a head or more of celery, open the trench at
the lower end, and take out the crisp white or golden heads, and
thank the kindly Providence that planted a garden as the best
place in which to put man, and woman also.
GARNISHING AND POT HERBS
"There's fennel for you; there's rue for you." Strange and
involuntary is the law of association! I can never see the
garnishing and seasoning herbs of the garden without thinking of
the mad words of distraught Ophelia. I fancy, however, that we are
all practical enough to remember the savory soups and dishes
rendered far more appetizing than they could otherwise have been
by these aromatic and pungent flavors. I will mention only a few
of the popular sorts.
The seeds of fennel may be sown in April about three-quarters of
an inch deep, and the plants thinned to fifteen inches apart. Cut
off the seed-stalks to increase the growth of foliage.
Parsley, like celery seed, germinates slowly, and is sometimes
about a month in making its appearance. The soil should therefore
be made very rich and fine, and the seed sown half an inch deep,
as early in spring as possible. When the plants are three inches
high, thin them to eight inches apart.
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