/ 
424 
dry for rubbing out. Some recommend hang- 
ing up the stalks and rubbing out the seeds 
when they are wanted for sowing. Seeds of 
more than one year old cannot be depended 
upon. 
Forcing. — The best sorts for forcing are 
Parisian Forcing and Early Short Horn; they 
may be sown on a hot-bed in the end of No- 
vember or beginning of December; again in the 
middle of January; and again early in February, 
if the weather be severe; otherwise this sowing 
may be made ona warm border. <A hot-bed 3 or 
4 feet thick of leaves, or of 15 or 18 inches of 
dung, should be prepared, and covered with 
8 inches of sandy soil and leaf-mould, so that 
the surface may be within about 6 inches of 
the glass. The seed may then be sown either 
broadcast, or in shallow drills, 4 inches apart, 
and covered with fine mould to the depth of 
4 inch. When the plants come up they should 
be thinned to 14 inch apart in the row, or to 
2 inches from each other if sown broadcast. The 
temperature may be from 60° to 65°, and the 
sashes must be covered at night and in frosty 
weather; but as much light and air as _ pos- 
sible should be given. Cold draughts should be 
avoided; and if the soil should get too dry, a 
gentle watering may be given. MRadishes are 
frequently sown along with Carrots, the rows 
alternating, and the Radishes will be ready for 
use before the Carrots require all the space. 
Carrots may also be forwarded considerably in 
rough or unglazed frames, and on raised beds 
with only stakes and mats for coverings. In 
each and every case a very mild hot-bed only is | 
desirable. 
Insects, &c.—See chapter on this subject. 
Bird and Flower Enemies.—Carrot Blossom 
Moth. 
Moth. 
Flat-body Moth. Root Enemies.—Carrot Fly, 
Daddy Long-legs, Field Mice, Millipedes, 
Wireworms, Yellow Underwing Moth. 
The principal varieties of Carrots cultivated 
in gardens are :— 
Altrincham.—Leaves long; root large, tapering slightly, 
but ending rather abruptly in a small tap-root; the surface 
is rather uneven and wrinkled. Flesh bright reddish- 
orange. One of the very best sorts for garden culture; a 
favourite in the Paris market. 
Blunt Guérande (fig. 1178).—Root 4 to 6 inches long, 
very blunt at the apex, grows quickly and to a good size. 
Flesh orange-red, yellow inside, tender, and sweet. Suc- 
ceeds best in a light soil. 
Early Nantes.—Root cylindrical, with a blunt point, 
even and clean; red, sweet and tender, coreless. One of 
the earliest and best. Prefers a mellow deep soil and 
moisture. 
Fruit and Seed Enemies. —Carrot-seed | 
Leaf Enemies.—Carrot Aphis, Common | 
THE GARDENER’S ASSISTANT. 
Early Scarlet Dutch Horn.—About twice as long as 
wide, nearly cylindrical, with a long fibrous tap-root. 
Flesh reddish, heart yellow. This is the kind chiefly 
grown for early use by the market-gardeners round 
Fig. 1178.—Carrot—Blunt Guérande. | 
London. For that purpose it is sown in November, in 
frames and hooped beds, and protected with mats. . 
Early Short Horn (French Horn) (fig. 1179).—Leaves 
few and dwarf; root short, globular or top-shaped; orange- 
Fig. 1179.—Carrot—Early Short Horn. 
red, reddish-yellow when young. One of the earliest, and 
best for forcing. 
James's Intermediate (fig. 1180).—One of the best; a 
favourite in England. Root thick, tapering, orange-red; 
very vigorous and productive. 
Long Horn (Long Red Dutch).—Leaves few, moderately 
long, and slender; root long, cylindrical, ending abruptly, 
like all the Horn Carrots; surface rather uneven and 
wrinkled. Flesh reddish-orange, tender, very juicy, and 
of excellent flavour; heart small, and nearly of the same 
colour as the flesh. An excellent sort for summer use. 
Long Orange.—Leaves long; root thick at the shoulder, 
thence tapering regularly to its extremity. Flesh orange, 
heart pale-yellow. Formerly more generally cultivated, 
but its quality is inferior to that of the Long Red. 
Long Red (Long Surrey).—Leaves of moderate length; 
roots long, tapering regularly to their extremity. Flesh 
reddish, heart yellow. This and the Altrincham are the 
best two for the general crop. 
