304 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



that of the cultivated variety is large, succulent,, and 

 generally of a reddish yellow or pale straw color. The 

 cultivated carrot is, however, thought to have been 

 ~~m~± brought into Europe from the island 



W of Crete, where it was early culti- 



vated. It was carried to England by 

 **3^ ., Flemish refugees in the days of 



Elizabeth, and the leaves wore 

 thought beautiful enough to be used 

 in ladies' headdresses. Cultivation 

 has changed a wild, worthless plant 

 into a most nutritious root. 



M. Vilmorin, of Paris, has done 

 the same in our day, and from the 

 wild plant by selecting seed, in three 

 generations produced roots as large 

 as the best garden carrots, the flavor 

 of which, by most of those who have 

 tasted them, is considered superior 

 to the old varieties. (Bon Jardinier.) 

 The best varieties for the garden 

 are: 



Early Horn, which is very early, 

 high colored, and sweeter than other 

 varieties. It does not grow very long, 

 and may be known by its conical root 

 shortening abruptly to a point. It 

 will grow closer together, and is bet- 

 Fig. 113— Rubicon Half ter on shallow soils than other kinds, 



Long Orange Carrot. except 



Early French Short Horn, which is an earlier and 

 superior variety of the above, and for an early crop the 

 best. 



Altringham. — Color, bright red, and growing with the 

 top an inch or two above ground, which sometimes 



