LONO-ROOTED VEGETABLES 85 



recognized for this purpose : the quickly-maturing short or 

 " stump "-rooted varieties ; the intermediate sorts ; and the 

 large, long, main-crop Carrots, that require prolonged growth 

 and thorough maturing for storage purposes. 



The first class may come well into the category of " catch- 

 crops." These vegetables are most valuable on account of 

 their very tender and sweet qualities if well and quickly grown, 

 of course. They are adapted for growth in any garden, large 

 or small, and at almost any time of the year, with the aid of 

 glass in the winter months. A great depth of soil is not required, 

 but it should be rich and friable. Sowings may be made as 

 early in the year as the weather will permit outdoors in a warm 

 position ; if under a frame-light, earlier still. These will 

 mature in time to be replaced by a summer crop. A supply 

 of fresh young Carrots may be secured all through the winter 

 by sowing seeds of the Stump-rooted or " Horn " varieties in 

 August, choosing a warm site. The roots will have attained a 

 fair size by the time cold weather approaches, and although 

 active growth may be stopped, their preservation may be 

 assured by covering the bed with leaves or other protective 

 materials. 



The " intermediate " section is well-described in its appella- 

 tion, for the roots are of medium length, tender, and fleshy ; 

 and by good culture can be made to acquire increase of girth 

 to make up for shortness. These Carrots are very useful for 

 summer cookery. They grow speedily, and may be lifted when 

 young or in maturity. The latter will make the roots amenable 

 to storage. Seeds may be sown from March to the end of May. 

 The standard variety in this section is undoubtedly James' 

 Intermediate Scarlet. 



The longer style of Carrot is usually a much coarser vegetable, 

 and a useful main-crop. Early sowing is best as soon as the 

 weather conditions and state of the soil facilitates the operation. 

 A rich, very deep soil is most essential, with all manure in the 

 subsoil. Good cultivation all through the period of growth 

 must be given, as neglect will induce the formation of a hard 

 core, to the detriment of the cooking qualities. 



There are many kinds of the long type white, yellow, purple, 

 red. Of these the Long, Surrey is a good selection, also the 

 Long Red. The white, yellow, and purple Carrots are of too 

 coarse a nature for garden culture, being more suited to cattle, 

 poultry, etc. ; Wiltshire Giant White is one of the best of these. 



A good dressing of soot given to all land devoted to Carrots 



