CARDOON CARROT 37 



each top is tied and turned over like a nightcap. A little soil is then 

 drawn to the foot, but earthing up is needless. In about a month 

 blanching is completed. 



CARROT 



(Daucus Carotd) 



THE CARROT is a somewhat fastidious root, for although it is grown 

 in every garden, it is not everywhere produced in the best style pos- 

 sible. The handsome roots of Long Surrey that are seen in the 

 leading markets are the growth of deep sandy soils well tilled. On 

 heavy lumpy land long clean roots cannot be secured by any kind of 

 tillage. But for these unsuitable soils we have Button's Gem, the 

 Champion Horn, and Intermediate, which require no great depth of 

 earth ; while for deep loams the Long Surrey and Altrincham come in 

 admirably. Turning to the fine art department, the Forcing French 

 Horn Carrot demands attention as an elegant and delicate root that 

 appears on tables where cottagers' Carrots dare not be seen. This 

 variety is well adapted for open ground culture on light warm borders 

 for summer supply, being in demand through the season as a high- 

 class vegetable ; but the larger kinds of the Horn section may be 

 allowed to attain their full size, and be stored for use in autumn in 

 advance of the main crop. 



Carrots are forced in frames on very gentle hot-beds. They 

 cannot be well grown in houses, and they must be grown slowly to 

 be creditable. It is usual to begin in November, and sow down a 

 bed every three or four weeks until February. In March the first 

 sowings on warm borders in the open garden may be made. A 

 lasting hot-bed is of the first importance, therefore the bulk should 

 be considerable, and the stuff should be robbed of its fire by turning 

 at least three times to insure a regular and moderate heat. In large 

 places leaves are used and answer perfectly, but beds of manure are 

 very manageable, the only precaution needed being to get rid of the 

 first fermentation. Put on the bed about one foot depth of fine, rich 

 soil ; if there is any difficulty about this, a depth of eight inches may 

 suffice, but twelve is to be preferred. The bed must be near the 

 glass, and it is a great point gained if a crop can be carried through 

 without once giving water, for watering tends to damage the shape 

 of the roots. Sow broadcast and cover with siftings just deep enough 

 to hide the seed, and shut up. If the heat rises above 70, give 



