44 CARROT. 



Carrots is a solution of alum in water, applied by a watering- 

 can with a rose. This is mentioned as perhaps even better tlian 

 paraffin, as there is less risk of misapplication. — (J. M. L.) 



A note of treatment, in 1879, at Gordon Castle, Fochabers, 

 points to the effect of wood-ashes in preventing attacks so far 

 down the root as the alkali is carried in solution by the rain. 

 Some of the ground was trenched, other portions sown without 

 trenching, but the whole otherwise treated alike, — that is, by 

 covering over the seeds in the drills with fully half an inch thick 

 of sifted wood-ashes. The Carrots were all attacked by the 

 grub, and proved an entire failure ; but it is noted the attack 

 was about two and a half to three and a half inches below the 

 surface, the upper part of the Carrots remaining perfectly 

 sound. — (J. W.) 



Wood-ashes are noted as applied in successful treatment, 

 after the ridges are levelled, in a dressing not less than half 

 an inch all over the ground ; this is dug-in one spit deep (the 

 ground being made level at the same time), and soot well 

 dusted over the surface. The ground is then ready for the 

 seed.— (A. I.) 



At Torloisk, in the Island of Mull, the ground was trenched 

 about two feet deep, and a good layer of farm-manure placed 

 at the bottom of the trench in winter, and prepared in the 

 usual way in the spring ; but before sowing, deep holes were 

 made about eight inches apart, and filled with a compost of 

 soil from potting-shed, soot, pigeon-manure, lime-rubbish, sea- 

 sand, and wood-ashes, and a few seeds were placed in each 

 hole. The result was an excellent crop of clean Carrots ; but 

 a few lines tried without the holes, but with a little of the 

 compost in lines beneath the seed, were destroyed. — (A. G.) 



The simple application of frequent waterings has a very 

 good effect in keeping down " rust " or attack of Carrot grub 

 in dry weather. The water keeps the ground fairly compacted 

 against entrance of the fly for oviposition, and also keeps the 

 plants from falling into the checked and stunted condition in 

 which they are particularly liable to attack ; and if given with 

 a rose over the foliage, the watering has the further advantage 

 of clearing out, for the time being, all flies which are harbour- 

 ing there, and which at once take wing before the falling 

 shower. 



One more remedy remains to be named, which has been 

 recommended for such a long course of years that presumably 

 it is of service. This is, to prepare ground for Carrots by a 

 dressing of spirits of tar mixed with sand. One gallon of 

 spirits of tar well mixed with a barrowful of sand and then 

 hand-strewed over the ground, is enough to dress sixty or 

 seventy square yards. This dressing may be applied in the 



