178 GARDENING. 



why a preference should be given to it in Italy, 

 where the climate is remarkably dry. Many wri- 

 ters speak of a fourth variety, the round or turnip- 

 rooted carrot of Holland ; but M. Thouin considers 

 this form of root as a mere imperfection in the 

 plant, arising from a stiff subsoil, which prevents 

 its penetrating into the earth. 



The carrot, like the beet, contains much saccha- 

 rine matter, but of a quality less valuable, as it can- 

 not be made to crystallize. An extract may, how- 

 ever, be taken from it, which forms no bad substi- 

 tute for honey. 



The culture of the carrot does not differ at all 

 from that of the beet. The seeds (from their long 

 and hairy covering) are apt to catch and hold fast to 

 each other ; and should therefore be well rubbed 

 with sand, and separated before they are sown. If 

 the plants come up too closely, thin them, leaving 

 twelve or fourteen inches between them. They 

 will be the finer, not only from the increased space 

 to grow in, but from the greater room which such 

 space affords for the hoe or the hook.* They are 

 taken up at the same period as beets, and, like them, 

 are preserved through the winter in cellars or root- 

 houses made for the purpose. 



A few of the roots put out in the spring, when 

 the frosts are over, will give abundance of seed. 



CELERY (Apium Graveolens). Of this there are two 

 species, the branching and the turnip-rooted. Some 

 botanists have conjectured that the latter (which is 

 sometimes called Celeriac) was only a variety of 

 the former; but Millar points out distinct character- 

 istics, and asserts that, in the course of many years 



* M.Trolli advises, for the last weeding, the employment of a 

 hook of two teeth, 15 or 16 inches long. He says that, weeded by 

 this instrument, the carrots are remarkably improved. As soon 

 as the tops are fully out, no farther weeding is necessary, as 

 these will suffocate everything growing under them, and pre- 

 serve by their shade the necessary humidity in the soil. 



