THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 181 



the middle of December and onwards, according to the nature of the 

 weather. I prefer to grow this crop in a frame, to which, if it is 

 required, I can add a lining of hot fermenting materials about the 

 end of October. 



The September-sown crop must be much thinner than any of the 

 others ; for having to grow through the shortest and darkest days of 

 the year, there must be more room for the air to circulate between 

 them. Of air, indeed, they must have a good quantity both night 

 and day when it is mild, which it often is up to Christmas. The 

 little artificial heat which they receive will of course admit of more 

 air being given ; at the same time, judgment in admitting it in rough 

 stormy weather is of course necessary, especially at night, for some- 

 times the air will be too cold. Damp in a pit or frame is a great enemy to 

 this crop, and they grow best at that season when kept moderately dry. 



A few years ago, I thought it possible to dispense with the aid of 

 artificial heat for this crop, so I sowed in a cold frame in the middle 

 of August, thinking I could grow and keep the crop on for winter 

 use. This I accomplished ; but there were complaints that they 

 were rather hard, and inferior to those slightly forced as explained 

 above. Some may perhaps say that they can secure young carrots 

 up to Christmas in the open ground, if the weather continues open 

 and mild up to that time. I admit they can, for I can, even here, 

 in this stubborn soil ; but, as I have just shown, they were not con- 

 sidered equal in flavour to those grown under glass of a later sowing. 

 Another sowing is made on a gentle bottom-heat about the middle 

 of October ; these will require the protection of a frame all the 

 winter, to be kept secure from frost and damp, and at the end of Feb- 

 ruary the frame should have all round it a good stout lining of stable 

 manure and leaves, which will warm the soil, and start them into 

 active growth about the middle of March. The end of February is 

 early enough to put the lining to the frame, as they must not be 

 started into growth until the season admits of an abundance of fresh 

 air being given, and that does not occur before the middle of March. 



A sowing is also made again about the end of February, in a pit or 

 frame on a slight bottom-heat. These will soon be up, and growing 

 away vigorously, and will come in admirably after the October-sown 

 ones are becoming too large. They are not usually considered 

 delicate enough if the)'' get larger than the middle finger. Where 

 there is a warm south border in a light soil, a small bed may be 

 sown at the end of February in the open ground ; but in heavy soils 

 or cold positions, nothing is gained in the average of seasons by 

 sowing so early. For such positions the middle of March is soon 

 enough, which is the time I sow here for the first crop in the open 

 ground. I sow another small piece again about the beginning of 

 June, which is all that is required for the season, because if there 

 should be a gap between those sown in March and those sown in 

 June, a few dishes from the general crop, which is sown here in the 

 middle ef April, will fill it up. 



This brings me back to my starting-point, for the next sowing 

 must take place, as I stated at the beginning of this paper, about 

 the middle of July. 



June. 



