VEGETABLE CHOI'S. 725 



pulling may be made the next year if the plants have been well tended 

 during the previous year, but it is better to defer this until the following 

 season. Each autumn tbe crop should be well manured and the soil kept 

 loose between the plants throughout their growth. 



When the crop is in bearing only the larger leaves should be pulled, and 

 this is done by holding the leaf stem well down towards the crown and 

 making a straight pull, or making a jerk downwards while, at the same 

 time, giving the stalk an outward twist. The leaves should be tied in 

 bunches of suitable size for marketing, and the stems in the bunches should 

 be of one grade. The smaller leaves are allowed to grow, in order to recoup 

 the plant for some of the loss occasioned by the pulling of the larger leaves 

 Should the plants attempt to run to seed, the seed heads should be imme- 

 diately cut out as seed-bearing is very exhausting. If it is desired that the 

 bed should last for any length of time, pulling must only be carried out 

 during a few months of the year, and not too many stalks should be pulled 

 from the plant at the one time. 



In order to obtain extra long stems it is usual to place half barrels or 

 boxes without tops or bottoms over the plants, and thus, by partially exclud- 

 ing the light, to cause elongation of the stems. 



Of the several varieties on the market the following may be mentioned as 

 among the best: — Hyatt's Victoria — large, red stemmed, very productive, 

 good late sort. Topp's Winter and Sydney Crimson Winter — both good 

 varieties used to supply the late autumn and early winter demand. 



CARROTS. 



The carrot is one of the most easily grown vegetables, but it is not culti- 

 vated in this State to the extent that it deserves, more especially by the 

 householder with a small allotment. Where the garden space attached to 

 the house is limited and required for greenery and flowers, there is no 

 reason why the carrot should not be given a place as a border plant, as its 

 foliage is well suited for the purpose. 



Almost any soil can be brought into a fit condition to grow this crop, but 

 a deep, sandy loam is best. A fine tilth should be produced, and care must 

 be exercised in the manuring. Farmyard manure should not be incor- 

 porated with the surface soil just prior to planting, but a plot may be 

 selected which bad been well manured for some previous crop. Farmyard 

 manure may, however, be used, provided it is covered to a depth of about 

 9 inches, and if this is done it is not likely to cause any serious branching 

 of the roots, and will be found of great benefit to the crop. Artificial ferti- 

 lisers will also prove beneficial, especially on poor soils. A mixture of 

 superphosphate and sulphate of potash, in the proportions of four parts of 

 the former to one of the latter, should give satisfactory results when applied 

 at the rate of 2 or 3 cwt. per acre, but the quantity required depends, 

 of course, on the richness of the soil. Artificial manures, in conjunction 

 with a plentiful supply of water, result in early maturity and crispness — 

 the latter being a most important factor. 



The soil should be deeply tilled to allow of the full development of the 

 roots. Early preparation of the land is recommended, but the surface 

 should be loosened just prior to the sowing of the seed. For spring sowing 

 it is always desirable to have a winter fallow. The rows can be sown fairly 



