about six inches apart in the trench. First
cut them back; that is, cut off about one quarter of the root and
one-third of the top. This cutting back increases the spread of
root-growth later and decreases the amount of respiration of water from
the leaves. The top alone grows more stocky and bulky.

Firm the plants well. That is, press the soil firmly about the roots and
stalk. When the plant has received its growth it must be blanched. This
process not only whitens celery, but also takes the bitter taste out of
it. This may be done in various ways, but Peter used the earth process.
He tied the bunches up together with bits of raffia. This was done
merely to keep the earth from pressing in between the stalks. Then the
earth which had been left in between the trenches was drawn up with the
hoe about the stalks until only the top leaves poked out above. Do not
do all this banking at once. Take several days at it. Boards may be
placed along the sides of the banked celery hills.

Peter having heard of the self-blanching kinds told his grandfather that
he would plant this kind to obviate blanching. But there were two
drawbacks. In the first place, he had waited too late to start seed. And
secondly, these varieties, too, should be bleached to take out the
bitter taste. So Peter bought young celery plants from his grandfather.
He paid $1 for two hundred small plants. Later in November he sold these
to the same market where his potatoes had gone. Fifty bunches he sold
to his father. These were left protected in the ground for use when
needed. The rest he sold in the city. From his celery he made $1.80. In
all the lad made $9.55. This was a pretty good sum to make. So Peter's
saying of "potatoes and profit" actually worked out.

XIII

PHILIP'S BACKYARD

On a beautiful Saturday in late April one might have seen The Chief and
his boys boarding the train for the city. It was the day set apart for
helping Philip.

The boy had cleared up the yard ready for work. You will remember shrubs
were to be planted, a walk and cement pond made, and a little gardening
done. The shrubs were planted as the school trees were. One must be
careful to dig the hole large enough to receive the roots of the shrub.
If old shrubs are transplanted be sure to cut out all the old wood, and
also cut the top back severely; that is, reduce it to one-third its
former size.

It was great fun to make the little pond. Such a pond may be used for