56 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



piece of ground is made to carry several crops in 

 the course of a season. The crops are generally 

 dissimilar in vegetation, and to secure the best results 

 quick-growing plants are grown with those of a slower 

 development. Thus it is usual to sow Early Radishes 

 and Carrots on the same bed, and to plant Lettuces 

 over them. The Radishes germinate quickly and 

 do not interfere with the slower-growing Carrots, as 

 they are taken off before the latter reach any size. 

 The Lettuces on the same bed have grown into sale- 

 able produce in the meantime, and when they are 

 gathered, the Carrots then have the soil, air, and 

 light to themselves but very often the borders of 

 the beds are planted with Cauliflowers, which mature 

 after the Carrots have been pulled. 



Even in the open air this system of combination 

 crops is generally practised. I have seen in the 

 neighbourhood of Vitry ground covered with Lettuces 

 and Endives in various stages of growth, and between 

 the rows quick catch-crops like Spinach and Radishes 

 have been sown. Before these attain any great 

 height, the other crops will have been taken off the 

 ground. 



In the following pages numerous examples of 

 combination crops, and intercropping, are given, 

 and there can be no doubt that, practised judiciously, 

 the system has much to recommend it. At no season 

 of the year need the ground be without a crop of some 

 kind. 



The principle underlying the " rotation of crops " 

 is also carried out regularly in gardens devoted to 

 intensive cultivation. Thus, the ground which this 

 year, perhaps, is carrying crops of Carrots, Cauli- 



