160 MARKET GARDENING. 



than the cost of culture, promote liberal secretion of 

 milk of improved quality over that from dry food, 

 and may be fed alternately with ruta bagas and beefs, 

 with the best results. The stock-feeder will find them 

 of high value. Fed to the stalled ox, or the wether, 

 being fattened for the butcher, or the ewe strengthened 

 to nourish the early lamb, succulent food, just such as 

 the carrot gives, is indispensable. The experienced 

 feeder will be cautious lest he overdo the thing, and 

 on the first evidence of failing appreciation of the special 

 food supplied, will substitute some other; hence, the 

 importance of providing, variety ; and just here comes 

 in the opportunity to recommend a portion of each, ruta 

 bagas, beets and carrots, so as to alternate as needed, 

 each heavily dusted with Indian meal and bran, and a 

 proper portion of salt, the roots, of course, previously 

 prepared by washing and slicing. 



CULTIVATION. 



The field culture of the carrot is identical with that 

 prescribed for the beet, in every particular; the pro- 

 cesses are the same, and the time of sowing, also. Crops 

 of eighteen hundred bushels have been raised to the acre, 

 and one-third of that quantity may be confidently looked 

 for under proper conditions of soil, culture and season. 



Cultivators are advised to run a subsoil breaker 

 upon both sides of each row at least twice during the 

 season of growth, especially if drouth prevails, that the 

 fibers may be better enabled to extend, and for the pro- 

 motion of subterranean circulation. This process is rec- 

 ommended for the culture of the beet and mangel. The 

 cost, per acre, of producing a crop of carrots (allowing 

 twenty dollars for manure, and twenty dollars for prep- 

 aration and culture) should not exceed forty dollars ; 

 which, at four hundred bushels, would be ten cents a 



