[ 35$ j 



534. So important is the carrot regarded in the N.-W. 

 Provinces as a stay during famine, that numerous applications 

 were received by District Collectors during the famine of 

 1896-97 for carrot seed, when the local supply was exhausted. 

 Telegraphic order was sent off at once to Messrs. Carter 

 and Co. for seed and they sent out over 100 tons of seed. 

 It was not before December and January, however, that the 

 seed was in the hands of cultivators, and the imported 

 carrot either failed to germinate or produced only very 

 meagre crops. 



535. Radish. This also belongs to the cabbage family' 

 and although it is a cold weather crop, the sag can be grown; 

 nearly all the year round. It and the China cabbage are 

 therefore grown in the Bengal Jails as vegetables for prisoners.: 

 In the hills the radish can be grown all the year round. The 

 large and small pale pink radish is liked by Indians, while 

 the small red and round radish is grown to a small extent 

 for European consumers. There are special localities in v 

 Midnapur, Birbhum &c., where very huge radishes are grown, 

 but the seeds of these tried in the Sibpur Farm gave the 

 ordinary small sized radishes that we see sold in the Calcutta 

 Bazar. There are certain light soils rich in mineral matters 

 that are therefore specially suitable for the crop. The sow- 

 ing time is June to December, though the best time is Septem- 

 ber, and the crop takes only 2 months maturing, which is a 

 great advantage. The seed should be sown in lines 9"-apart 

 and seedlings should be thinned out so as to have them 3" 

 apart in the lines. Thorough and deep 'cultivation and water- 

 ing once in 10 or 12 days, are essential. As there is no very 

 great demand for this crop, except in large towns, and as it is 

 not such a nourishing crop as the carrot, any extension in the 

 cultivation of this crop cannot be recommended, but as a 

 fast growing vegetable, it can be grown by cultivators for 

 domestic use on homestead lands. 



