204 GARDENING FOB THE SOUTH. 



In the Southern States carrots, for the early crop, may 

 be sown in October or the first of November, and again 

 from January to April inclusive, after which the seed 

 comes up badly. At New York, the late crop is sown in 

 June for winter use, and for the early crop they sow in 

 September, and protect it a little with litter through the 

 winter. 



Late sown seed do not vegetate freely. Sow in drills 

 fifteen inches apart ; cover the seed half an inch deep with 

 fine soil, and for the late crop, if the ground is dry, water 

 the seed before covering, and after a few hours press the 

 earth upon the seed with a roller or plank. Thin the 

 young plants to six inches apart. In short, the culture 

 of the carrot is just that of the beet, which see. Six 

 hundred bushels have been produced from one acre. The 

 carrots need not be pulled at the South, but may be left 

 safely in the ground to draw as wanted for use during the 

 winter. In severe weather, they may be protected by a 

 covering of litter ; but it is hardly necessary, except for 

 the Altringham. At the North, they are stored in cellars 

 or in piles, covered with straw and earth, like the potato. 



For Seed. Leave some of the finest roots, protected 

 with litter, where raised, to blossom and seed the next 

 summer; save only the principal umbels. Each head 

 should be cut as it turns brown, dried in the shade, rub- 

 bed out, and dried in paper bags. The seed will not vege- 

 tate if more than two years old. 



Use. The carrot is a very wholesome food for man or 

 beast. It is a valuable addition to stews and soups, and 

 is also boiled plain, pickled, and made into puddings and 

 pies. Boiled or grated, it is an excellent poultice. The 

 grated root is often added to cream to improve the color 

 of winter butter. One carrot, grated into cold water, 

 will color cream enough for eight pounds of butter, with- 

 out any injury to the flavor. One bushel of boiled car- 

 rots and one of corn are said to be worth as much as 



