MARCH] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 199 



as wanted, till they begin to run, then cut them clean up to the 

 bottom. 



CARROTS AND PARSNEPS. 



Any time after the middle of this month that the ground is in 

 good condition, you may sow carrots and parsneps for a full crop, 

 particularly the latter; and also, a sufficient early crop of the former. 



A spot of light deep loam, inclining a little to sand, and in an 

 open situation, should be chosen for these crops ; for their roots will 

 thrive best and grow largest in such. 



The ground should be trenched one good spade deep at least, ob- 

 serving in the digging to take but thin spits, and to break all the 

 lumps fine, that the roots may have full liberty to run down long and 

 straight ; for if the earth is not well divided and separated, the roots 

 are apt to grow both short and forked. 



Then draw drills one inch deep and fifteen inches apart, sow the 

 seed evenly, cover carefully with the feet, after which, rake the sur- 

 face lightly, and the work is finished. 



Previous to sowing carrot-seed, you should rub it well between your 

 hands, mixed with some dry sand, to cause it to separate freely. 



When the plants are afyout three inches high, thin the parsneps 

 to six, and the carrots to four inches, plant from plant, in the rows. 



Some people sow the seeds broadcast in beds, tread them in, and 

 . then rake the ground ; but this method should never be practised 

 where the soil is stiff, inclinable to wet, or apt to bind. You may 

 sow with these crops a few radish and lettuce seeds ; of the latter any 

 of the cos kinds are most suitable for this purpose, they not being 

 subject to spread like the heading sorts. 



' SMALL SALADING. 



Small salading, such as cresses, mustard, radish, rape,. and turnip, 

 &c., should, when a constant supply is wanted, be sown once a week 

 or fortnight, in a warm border, observing to draw some flat shallow 

 drills three inches asunder ; sow the seeds therein, each sort separate, 

 and cover them lightly with fine earth. 



For the particular method of sowing and treating these seeds, see 

 the work of last month, page 132. 



If these young herbs, or any other of your early advancing crops, 

 such as 1 peas, beans, &c., are attacked with a hoar frost appearing on 

 them in the morning, and a sunny day is likely to follow, let them 

 be watered before the sun shines on them with spring or pump water, 

 to wash and melt it off, which will prevent their turning black and 

 spoiling. 



CELERY. 



.If celery was not sown last month, let some seed be sown the be- 

 ginning of this, to plant out in May, &c., for an early crop; sow 

 some more of the same seed about the middle, or towards the latter 

 end, for a succession crop. The seed should be sown in a bed or 



