106 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



2 or 3 inches apart. Too much room makes them 

 bigger and coarser, not so delicate and tender as 

 the slender deeper growing roots. Now all that 

 remains is tillage. As the roots grow, cultivate 

 deeper and, at the same time, work the soil over 

 the row to keep the bulging crowns from becoming 

 sun-burned and, therefore, dark and bitter. If 

 they are left bare, they are liable also to crack. 

 Keep the crowns covered and make room for the 

 roots to grow. 



There are no enemies worth considering. A 

 white mildewy fungus causes soft-rot, sometimes, 

 when the roots are stored. The riddance of this 

 fungus is best effected by carefully destroying all 

 roots having the least sign of the rot, in order to 

 prevent the fungus from becoming lodged in the 

 soil. When left in the ground after maturity, a 

 little yellow wireworm tunnels its way into the 

 surface and spoils the smooth appearance of the 

 roots. Continual cultivation to secure early ma- 

 turity prevents any injury from this borer; that 

 is, if the crop is then harvested. With such at- 

 tention, we may be assured of plenty of smooth 

 tender roots, glowing in color and delicious in 

 flavor. 



The carrot harvest is a movable feast. It may 

 begin as soon as the roots are large enough and 

 the color is rich enough for a salad. Start with 

 the thumb-sized roots pulled to provide more room. 

 They will make a delicious salad. Carrots fed to 



