60 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



the leading flowers. After all is said, it is probably advis- 

 able in most cases to purchase the plants when in bloom 

 from a florist, and after blooming either throw them away 

 or store them for planting in the spring, when they will 

 bloom throughout the summer. 



Carpet Bedding. See Bedding. 

 Carrot, while essentially a farm crop in this 

 country, is nevertheless a most acceptable garden vege- 

 table. It is hardy and easily grown. The extra - 

 early varieties may be forced in a hotbed, or seed 

 may be sown as soon as the ground is fit to work in 

 the<epring. The stump-rooted, or half-long varieties, 

 are sown for the general garden crop. Well en- 

 riched, mellow loam, deeply dug or plowed, is best 

 suited to the requirements of Carrots. The seed for 

 the main crop may be sown as late as July 1. 

 5 Sow thickly, thinning to 3-4 in. in the row. The 

 rows, if in a garden that is hand-worked, may be 12 in. 

 apart. If the cultivation is done by a horse, the rows should 

 be from 2 to 3ft. apart. One ounce will sow 100 feet of drill. 

 Castor Oil Plant. In the entire list of quick- 

 growing plants there is none that ex- 

 cels this for rapidity of growth, grace 

 of foliage and rich effect. Used either 

 as a specimen plant, with cannas, ca- 

 ladiums, or for a tropical bed, or as 

 a screen, it gives the most satisfac- 

 tory results. Seeds sown early in the 

 house, and the plants grown in the 

 full light, make fine, stocky plants to 

 set out about the middle of May. 

 With rich soil and plenty of water, castor Bean 



they will grow without a check until frost. Height, 5-12 

 ft. For screens, plant 3-4 ft. apart. There are varieties 

 with differing shades of foliage. 



