56 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



the Early Horn variety should be sown on hot-beds 

 in February, or on a warm south border early in 

 March. The hot-beds should be made the end of 

 January ; and after the rank steam has passed off, 

 and the top of the bed has been levelled, lay on 

 about ten inches of light rich mould, and sow the 

 seed : then smooth it down with the back of the 

 spade, and sift a little earth over the whole about a 

 quarter of an inch thick ; the glasses can then be 

 put on, and air given occasionally, until the plants 

 appear, when plenty of air must be given on every 

 opportunity, otherwise the plants will be drawn up 

 weakly and spoiled ; a slight sprinkling of water will 

 occasionally be necessary, and if the plants come 

 too thick they must be thinned out with the hand. 



The early sowing on the border will succeed 

 those very quickly, especially if protected from the 

 cold cutting winds and frosts by a covering of dry 

 fern, straw, or any other light material. 



To procure young carrots throughout the summer 

 and autumn, seed must be sown of the Early Horn 

 kind about every six weeks, from the end of Feb- 

 ruary till the beginning of August ; the last sowing 

 is made for plants to stand the winter, and afford 

 young roots early in spring. 



For the general and principal crop, the author 

 has found the second or third week in March to be 

 a good season, though he has known good crops 

 produced from sowing at the end of April and be- 

 ginning of May ; this, however, depends entirely 

 on the weather. 



In sowing carrot seed a calm day should be 

 chosen, as the seeds are very light ; they should 



