188 



Pioot Crops 



the young carrot plants will have an opportunity to grow. 

 Special care must be taken to keep down weeds. In their 

 early stages, carrot plants are shallow- 

 rooted and delicate, and the tillage 

 should be very careful. A late crop may 

 follow early carrots, and an early crop 

 may precede the late ones. 



The seeds of carrots are small (Fig. 

 95) and germinate slowly (Fig. 96). 

 Unless the soil is in good condition and 

 free of w^eds the young plants are likely 

 to suffer. It is well to sow seeds of 

 radishes, turnips or other quick-germi- 

 nating things with the carrots to mark 

 the row and to break the crust. 



The carrot is annual and biennial. 

 The early varieties send up flower-stalks 

 the same 3'ear if left in the ground; but 

 the roots of the late varieties must be 

 stored in winter, and set out the fol- 

 lowing s])ring, when they will quickly 

 run to seed. 



The early short and half-long carrots 

 are marketed in small bunches, with the 

 tops on. The main crop is sent to mar- 

 ket in crates and barrels. 



Varieties of carrots are either yellow-fleshed or white- 

 fleshed. They are also of several forms. The stump- 

 rooted or half -long varieties (Fig. 97) are popular for 

 garden work. These are early or mid-season varieties fit 

 for using either early in the season or late in summer. The 



97. Half- long carrot, 

 for table use (X 1/3). 



