102 



FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



in shape, 4 in. or so long, and between ij to 2 in. 

 thick, with a deep red skin. It has very little core 

 or heart, hence one of the French names, " sans 

 cceur" (fig. 27). 



There are many other varieties of Carrots, but as 

 they are chiefly for open-air culture they need no 



special mention here. 

 FIRST CROP s. 

 Seeds of Paris Forc- 

 ing or Early Forcing 

 Horn are sown for 

 the first crop during 

 October, on finely 

 prepared mould 

 about 6 in. deep on 

 the surface of the 

 mild hot-bed. After 

 sowing the seeds and 

 slightly covering 

 them with soil, they 

 should be gently 

 beaten down with a piece of flat board. Very often, 

 if not always indeed, Radishes are sown at the same 

 time, but before the Carrots and a little deeper. Ger- 

 mination takes place in about a fortnight, and from 

 this time onwards air is given on all occasions when 

 the weather is favourable, if only for half an hour 

 or so each day. This prevents etiolation or yellowing, 

 and encourages the proper development of the leaves 

 and roots. 



In November, and again in December, sowings of 

 the same varieties may be made on hot-beds about 

 18 in. thick, coated with fine mould to a depth of 



FIG. 27. HALF-LONG NANTES SCARLET 

 CARROT. 



