472 . THE CAKROT CEOP. 



adhering together. When the mass is thoroughly mixed 

 up it should remain so for a week or ten days, being occa- 

 sionally turned over with a shovel, and watered if neces- 

 sary, to keep it in a proper condition of moisture. By 

 this process of preparation each seed is separated from 

 the others, and brought into contact with a moist surface, 

 the germinative process is set up previous to its being 

 deposited in the soil, where it continues its functions, in- 

 creases its growth, and speedily shows itself above the 

 surface. 



In all our cultivated crops the quality of the seed is a 

 matter of great importance, but in none other is attention 

 to this point so much demanded as in the carrot crop. 

 The same conditions are required as have already been 

 given, page 19, and to these we must now add another 

 that the seed be quite fresh the produce of the preceding 

 years plants. If due care and precaution have not been 

 exercised in the selection, the produce is sure to be un- 

 satisfactory, either from the plants throwing up seed sterns^ 

 instead of forming roots, or from the roots formed being- 

 forked and fibrous, instead of straight and plump. 



Owing to the delicate and fragile stem which the carrot 

 possesses in its early growth, it is very difficult to distin- 

 guish the exact line of drills at the time of hoeing, which 

 should be commenced as soon as possible, to protect the 

 young plant from its more vigorous companions, the weeds. 

 In order to mark this out clearly, it is recommended to add 

 to the prepared seed, at the time of sowing, a small quan- 

 tity say a few quarts to the acre of any tail or inferior 

 corn in store, which by its more vigorous and erect 

 growth, speedily indicates the line of sowing, and pre- 

 serves it from any injury from the hoes. Carrots should 

 always be sown by the drill, and as they are essentially a 

 fallowing and cleaning crop, the distances between the 

 rows should be such as to admit the free use of the horse- 



