SECTION II. 



CULTIVATION, HARVESTING, AND PREPARATION FOR 

 MARKET. 



THEEE are many varieties of this plant, the greater part of 

 -which have blue flowers ; some are white, and others red. In 

 Brunswick they only grow the broad-leaved, or native kind, 

 or the small-leaved, which has long roots, and is a native of 

 Magdeburg. The former is, however, preferred, on account 

 of its being the richest. In Altona they grow a medium 

 variety, which has neither very narrow nor very broad leaves. 

 The plant thrives in all soils that will grow carrots ; indeed, 

 the mode of cultivating one is much like that of the other. 

 The roots seem, however, to grow best upon a loamy soil, with 

 a clayey subsoil, dry, deep, and rich. It very seldom thrives 

 in heavy clay land, and never in sand or wet land. It re- 

 quires much manure. In preparing the land deep plough- 

 ing is recommended ; but, unless the soil is very deep, it is 

 probable that subsoil ploughing will answer better. The 

 surface must be well worked ; indeed, it cannot be reduced 

 to too fine a mould. 



As the plants are a long time in coming up, generally five 

 or six weeks from the time of sowing the seed, it is necessary 

 that the land should be very clean, or the weeds (particularly 

 chickweed) are liable to overtop and smother the young 

 plants. The time of sowing varies in different districts ; in the 

 midland and eastern counties of England, the second or third 

 week in May is considered best, for if sown earlier, many of 



