96 



GARDEN STEPS 



Carrots may be planted as soon as the soil is loose 

 and wa.rm. The seeds are very small, but they come 

 up with astonishing vigor if the bed is well prepared. 

 The rows may be from one foot to three feet apart, 

 according to the space you have and the method of 

 cultivation you wish to use. When the soil is loose 



and fine, lay off the 

 rows and make a 

 crease in the earth 

 by pressing in a piece 

 of scantling or the 

 rake handle, along 

 the marking line. 



In this crease, 

 which should be 

 about half an inch 

 deep, scatter the 

 seeds thinly, four 

 or five to the inch. 

 With the garden 

 sieve, sift enough 

 rich, light soil over 

 the seeds to fill up the groove. Press this down 

 firmly to make a snug bed of earth. Then sift a 

 little soft earth above it, to keep the surface water 

 from too rapid evaporation. 



Culture. — When the carrots are an inch high, 

 cultivation should begin. Take care to avoid 

 covering the slender ■ plants with dirt. At three 



Carrots may be left close together and then 

 pulled as they increase in size. 



