276 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



Sowing and cultivation of carrots. 



The seed should be sown with a drill, in rows about 18 

 inches apart, and covered about ^ inch deep. About 

 three times as many seeds should be sown as plants are 

 wanted, and when the plants are an inch high, the inferior 

 ones should be trimmed out, leaving the others to stand 

 from two to four inches in the row. 



The time of sowing will depend upon the variety in hand. 

 The later and longer ones should be sown in October, the 

 earlier ones in November, and the very earliest ones about 

 the first of December. The seed is rather slow to germinate, 

 so a few seeds of cabbage, radish, or turnips should be 

 mixed with it to indicate the rows before the carrot seed- 

 lings are visible. 



The soil should be kept in a high state of cultivation, 

 and plowing should begin before the seed is up. The 

 plowing should be deep and close to the rows, except during 

 dry weather, when plowing should be shallow and frequent 

 enough to keep the land mellow. 



Marketing. 



The young or spring crop is marketed with the leaves on, 

 as it thus brings a higher price. The carrots are washed, 

 the large and dry leaves removed, and about six tied in a 

 bunch. Marketing is usually done in boxes or barrels, 

 but good crates would be preferable. Refrigeration may 

 be required for long distance shipping in the spring. 



Varieties of carrots. 



Early Scarlet Horn, Oxheart, and Half Long Nantes 

 are favorite varieties of orange-colored and early carrots ; 



