188 KITCHEN GARDEN. 



cast, as most convenient. For the fall and winter supply, 

 sow in August. In dry seasons, the young turnips are 

 very apt to be eaten off by the turnip fly, so that, to obvi- 

 ate this and other causes of failures, resowings are often 

 called for. "When the plants are too thick, they should be 

 thinned to about three inches apart. Good seed will ger- 

 minate, under favorable circumstances, in from thirty-six 

 to forty-eight hours. 



The Carrot (Daucus Carota) is one of the native Um- 

 bellifersD of England, but has been much transformed by 

 cultivation ; the root swelling and becoming succulent and 

 of agreeable flavor. The best varieties are the Early 

 Home or Dutch, and the Orange-red Carrot ; the former 

 for early, the latter for general cultivation. The Altring- 

 ham or Large Orange Carrot is in great repute ; it is dis- 

 tinguished by a considerable portion of the root remaining 

 above ground. The carrot likes a light, deep, fresh soil, in 

 which it may be at liberty to push down its long spindle- 

 shaped roots. A few Early Home carrots may be sown 

 in February on a moderate hotbed. In the beginning of 

 March, the same sort may be sown in the open air. In 

 April, the orange variety may follow as a general crop : it 

 succeeds best in drills. The Long Wliite Carrot is of deli- 

 cate flavor, is easily cultivated, but does not keep well. In 

 many old gardens, the early plants are liable to the attacks 

 of a small grub, the larva of some insect ; it is therefore a 

 useful precaution to sow a moderate crop of the Early 

 Home variety in July. After sowing, it is only necessary 

 to thin the plants and keep them clear of weeds. The 

 roots are stored in winter in the manner of turnips. 



Carrot seed, being so extremely light, should be sown 

 when the weather is perfectly calm, disposed in drills or 



