CARROTS 105 



ish. Scatter the two sorts together and cover only 

 about % inch. The vigorous radish seeds will 

 start more quickly and so the surface will be kept 

 soft and open, providing a fair start for the 

 weaker carrot seedlings. 



Once started, there is no difficulty in growing 

 perfect carrots. 'Cultivation may begin before the 

 seedlings appear, even before germination. As 

 soon as the radishes begin to show enough to mark 

 the row, tillage may begin; the weeds in the seed 

 row may be nipped. Scatter a little nitrate far 

 enough away so that there may be no danger of 

 burning the young growth just germinating. Keep 

 the soil between the rows stirred to conserve the 

 food and to prevent a crust forming. The carrot 

 seedlings are shallow-rooted and delicate at first. 

 Care will be especially needed just as they are 

 starting. As the surface is stirred, work the soil 

 a little towards the seedlings to help anchor the 

 frail roots. When only an inch high, growth will 

 be hastened and made more vigorous by thinning 

 the tiny plants to % inch apart, the width of 

 your thumb. Go down the row, measuring the 

 space between by your thumb, as you pull out the 

 tiny crowding plants. At the same time, with the 

 same live tools, press the soil closely about those 

 that are left to grow. After this, growth should 

 be constant and rapid. Keep the soil stirred. 

 When the growing carrots are as large as your 

 thumb, thin them again, this time leaving them 



