182 THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. [MARCH. 



generally broad cast, in which method you may sow therewith, a 

 little radish seed ; when the seed is sown in light dry ground, tread 

 it over lightly, and then rake it in regularly, or you may sow it in 

 drills a foot asunder, and about half an inch deep. 



Let it be observed, that spinach should not, at this season, be sown 

 where the ground is much shaded with trees or bushes ; for in such 

 situations, the plants would be drawn up to seed, before they arrive 

 to half their growth. 



Hoe or hand-weed the early crops of spinach, thinning the plants 

 at the same time, but particularly those sown broad cast, to three, 

 four, or five inches distance. 



The crop of winter spinach, which was sown last autumn, will, 

 towards the end of the month, be advancing in good perfection for 

 use, and should be kept clear from weeds, and the earth between 

 the plants stirred with a hoe ; and in gathering the plants for use, 

 if they stand close, should thin them out clean by the roots ; but if 

 they already stand at wide distance, only crop the large outer leaves 

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

 tom. 



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 for- 

 mer. 



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 allj the 

 lumps, 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. Rake the ground well 

 after you, as you proceed in the digging. 



Then form the ground into four feet wide beds, push the earth off 

 the surface with the back of the rake, half an inch deep, or better, 

 into the alleys ; sow the seed evenly over the beds, and with a spade 

 or shovel cast the loose earth from the alleys over them, about half 

 an inch deep ; after which, rake the surface 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. 



.Or these seeds may be sown thin in drills, distant from each other 

 from eight to ten inches ; when they are about three inches 

 high, thin the parsneps to four and the carrots to three inches, plant 

 from plant in the rows. 



Some people sow the seeds broad-cast in beds, tread them in, and 

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

 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, 



