'122 CARROTS. 



grow luxuriantly^ they can be thinned again and fed to 

 the hogs. The crops are much larger, when the roots 

 have sufficient room. (In England the usual distance is 

 fii'teen to eighteen inches each way.) Further hoeings 

 will occasionally be requisite to keep the ground deep- 

 ly stirred and perfectly clean. The hoeings are best 

 performed with a sharp narrow hoe. 



If the ground is not too dry, carrots should be sown 

 on ridges, two feet apart ; they may be made with a 

 '^ horse plough; and the top of each ridge should be le- 

 velled with a rake. Immediately after the ground is 

 ridged and raked open a drill with a hoe, plant the seed 

 pretty thick, cover about an inch deep, and press down 

 a little with a hoe or shovel. About two pounds of 

 seed will be found sufficient. Success in cultivating 

 this vegetable, depends entirely on early attention, in 

 w^eeding, thinning, hoeing, and ploughing — the plants 

 should not be left for a crop nearer than three or four 

 inches. It is not the number but the size of carrots 

 tliat makes a large crop. If the plants are suffered to 

 fttand thick, they Vvili necessarily be small, and of an in- 

 ferior quality. The}'^ should at all times be kept fre* 

 from v/eeds, and the earth lossened w'th a hoe. If they 

 are planted on a side hill, be caref'il not to have the 

 rows go v.p and down, as they are apt to wash. If heavy 

 rains fail, the ground between the rows should be stir- 

 red as deep and as near to them, as can be done with 

 safety to the roots. 



Instead of one row on a ridgef some sow two rows, 

 ten or twelve inches apart ; and thin the plants to four 

 or five inches distance in the rows, with intervals of 

 three feet between the double rows, for tilling them 

 wiih the plough. 



Carrots grow considerably in October — the first of 

 November is ei\r\j enough to gather them. Run a 

 plough close to tlie plants, so as to turn the earth from 

 them, and they may then be easily pulled up. Where 

 it is not convenient to do this, the spade and dung-fork 

 will be found most convenient. Cut off the tops near, 

 but not quite to the crown of the plant. All that are 

 Kroken, or cut, being liable to decay must not be put 

 with the heap. Carrots are easily kept in masses, in a 

 cellar or place out of reach of frost, provided they be 



