130 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



seeds will not be properly covered after the final raking, 

 and thus germination will not proceed properly. The 

 seeds are sown early in April, half an inch down, in rows 

 about nine inches apart. It is a good plan to sow on the 

 same day both an early and a main-crop variety in 

 alternate rows. In this way the earlies will all have been 

 pulled when the main-crop begins to require plenty of 

 space. Mix the seed with fine sand and sprinkle it along 

 ridges made by drawing a broom handle across the plot, 

 then rake over. Be careful to spread it out evenly and 

 not close together ; a quarter of an ounce should be 

 sufficient for a hundred and fifty feet of rows. 



Two thinnings are usually necessary : the first when 

 the carrot leaves are large enough to handle, and the 

 second when the carrots are as thick as a pencil. The 

 first batch must be buried or burnt so as not to attract 

 the carrot fly ; the second are well worth eating. Press 

 the ground firmly around the plants which are left in the 

 plot, and see that no part of the roots is left uncovered. 

 The carrots should finally be nine or ten inches from 

 each other. 



Early Nantes and Short Horn are two good early 

 varieties, whilst Long Red Surrey and Telegraph may be 

 recommended for the main-crop. 



Carrots need lifting towards the end of September, 

 before the slugs do them injury or the frost makes its 

 unwelcome attacks. Remove the stalks, rub off any 

 adhering earth, dry them in the sun for a day or two and 

 then store in boxes, packed with sand, or in clamps, as 

 described for potatoes. 



