26 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



Blacks and Reds. For exhibition purposes few varieties 

 can beat Pragnell's for its shape and smooth build ; 

 other good old kinds are the Pine Apple, the Old 

 Dwarf Red of Nutting's, a good quality beet, and the 

 Crimson, a root largely used for bedding purposes, and 

 of good flavour. For many years I have grown this 

 root specially for latest supplies in the spring, as it 

 keeps sound longer than larger roots. Where beetroot 

 is in demand all the year round, this is a most useful 

 root if stored late, and it needs less room even when 

 growing than do the turnip-rooted varieties. 



CARROTS 



These roots have their peculiarities. They are not 

 at home in all. soils, but often soils can be made suitable 

 for the roots, and means taken to clear the earth of 

 various pests that spoil the crop. They delight in a 

 sandy soil, not too dry, and need not be sown nearly 

 as early as is often advised. To do them justice, they 

 should be divided into three sections, the short stump- 

 rooted or forcing varieties, the early Short Horn or 

 Gem type, for early outdoor crops, and the main crop, 

 or intermediate and long-rooted section. Few roots are 

 forced with less trouble, and certainly small, sweet, 

 carrots in the spring afford a welcome dish. Of 

 early carrots in the open there is ample choice, but 

 I do not think that the short stump-rooted kinds, that 

 are so largely grown for the Paris markets, can be 

 beaten. These roots do not equal the Gem or Model 

 in appearance or quality, but then the latter are much 

 later, and earliness is a great point in May or June. 

 The land should be good for the roots, as the growth 

 has to be made in a short time, and the food for the 

 short-rooted kinds should not be too low down, but 

 merely forked in on the surface ; indeed, my best results 



