116 On the Cultivation of Carrots. 



soils, are the best, but most soils will answer, except 

 those of a stiff clay, and thin gravel. Two or three 

 deep ploughings, (say 14 inches,) are essential, to en- 

 able the roots to push downward. — Two should be 

 given in the autumn, or early in the winter, and one in 

 the spring. xA.t the last ploughing, in March, the farm 

 yard manure should be turned in, and the surface of 

 the ground immediately well harrowed.* 



The cultivator should save his own carrot seed, by 

 selecting annually some of the most perfect and best 

 shaped roots of the preceding year's growth ; to be set 

 out separately for the purpose, early in the spring. Saw 

 dust, bran, ashes, or dry sand, are to be mixed with 

 them [and wxll rubbed together] that they may be se- 

 parated and sown more regularly. 



J. C. Curwen, M. P. of Cumberland, England, sow- 

 ed carrot seed, previously mixed with wet sand, and 

 placed in a warm situation, on high ridges, three feet 

 asunder. By this method the seed is in a state of ve- 

 getation before it is sown ; so that a fortnight is gained 

 by it, and the carrots are less liable to be injured by 

 weeds, t 



From four to six pounds broadcast are necessar}'-. 

 The seed should be sown as early as the frost will per- 

 mit, and covered with a light harrow. As carrots are 

 of a delicate nature while young, and do not rise quick- 



* Mr. Cooper, of New Jersey, recommends ashes as a manure, 

 and to choose ground that has been in potatoes the preceding year. 



J. M. 

 t Transactions Society of Arts. London, vol. 24-. 



