CARROTS 27 



in raising early supplies have been obtained by using a 

 rich old marrow or cucumber bed as a surface-dressing 

 before sowing the seeds, the first sowing being made in 

 the latter part of February or early in March, according 

 to the season and locality. Only a small sowing is 

 needed, using such kinds as Button's Gem and the 

 Scarlet Horn, or Model. The second sowing in April 

 will provide a midsummer supply, and the roots may 

 be kept good for a longer time by lifting and treating 

 as advised for summer Beetroot. We now come to the 

 main crop supply, and these roots are needed from 

 autumn to spring. They may be sown late in April or 

 early in May, according to the locality. Sow in drills 

 twelve to fifteen inches apart, allowing half that distance 

 between the roots when thinned. The intermediate 

 sections do well at twelve inches, but the larger ones re- 

 quire more space. I do not advise land newly manured, 

 but deeply dug and in good workable condition. This 

 root is fairly hardy, and in light land not infested with 

 wire worm may be left in the ground and lifted as 

 required for use. To this there is the serious drawback 

 that in severe weather it is difficult to get at the roots. 

 On the other hand, the roots should not be stored in too 

 wet soil, or the crowns decay badly. In land infested 

 with wire worm, gas lime or the refuse from mustard 

 mills should be used in winter, also liberal soot dressings, 

 lime, wood ashes and other charred refuse. Change the 

 quarters yearly, not sowing near other crops that are 

 attacked by these pests, and use less animal manures, 

 relying on liquid and surface dressings during growth. 



We make a fourth sowing, and this bears out my 

 remark as to the hardiness of the roots, as this sowing, 

 though the roots are small, is left in the soil all the 

 winter. Needing small roots daily, the roots of the 

 main crop are too large for our purpose. Again, there 

 is a great demand for young carrots in spring, a greater 



