EARTHING-UP. A term used to represent the process of drawing the existing, or applying additional, soil in ridges round the stems of kitchen-garden crops, or other surface-rooting plants, requiring more space for the development of the leaves than for the roots. It is performed in this case in order to concentrate the soil where it is most required. Earthing-up round the stems of Celery and similar crops is practised mainly for the exclusion of light from the stems, and for the consequent blanching obtained. The plan is also frequently adopted in winter, for preserving the stems of plants from frost.