AND GUIDE TO THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 97 



per oz. per qt- 



Bound, best for spring and summer sowing 0 2..1 0 



Prickly, best for autumn sowinj; 0 2..1 0 



Flanders, Prickly, a good winter variety 0 2..1 0 



per pkt. per oz. 



Orach White, or Mountain Spinach 0 3..0 6 



„ Ked, or Mountain Spinach, a highly decorative plant for shrubbery borders 0 3..0 6 



Utexr Zealand, produces leaves in great abundance throughout the summer ; 



should be sown in heat, and transplanted 0 4..0 6 



Section III.-EDIBLE EOOTED PLANTS. 



BEET. 



Preparation of the Soil. — Select for this crop deep and rich, yet rather light and loamy soil 

 which had been well manured during the previous season ; and if this cannot be done, the ground 

 should be trenched two feet deep, and ridged up in autumn. If it is deemed necessary to apply 

 manure, a sprinl^ling of guano after the plants are up would be preferable to fanii-yard manure, which 

 often causes the roots to grow rough and forked, while straight and moderate sized roots are the 

 most desirable. 



Time and Manner of Sowing. — Por an early supply sow a small quantity early in April, and 

 the main crop the first week in .May; but where small roots are desired sow as late as June. Sow in 

 drills about one inch deep, and from fifteen to eighteen inches apart, covering with friable soil, and, 

 if possible, select a dry day when the ground is in good working order for putting in the seed. 



Cultivation and after Management. — Thin out the plants so that they may be from six to 

 nine inches apart in the rows, and keep the ground free from weeds, and open it by frequently 

 stirring the surface. By the end of October the roots will have attained their full size, and they 

 should then be taken up and stored in soil not over dry. If room can be found for them in an airy 

 cellar or shed they will keep perfectly well until spring ; but when drying winds ticcur they should 

 be transferred from the latter into a damp cool cellar. In pulling and cleaning, be careful not to 

 wound the roots, or cut otf any large fibres, as this would cause bleeding, wliith greatly injures the 

 quality and tends to induce decay; neither should the leaves bo cut otf too close to the crown. In 

 stacking, place the crowns outwards. 



per pkt. per oz. 



Covent Garden, extra fine, medium sized, beautifully shaped roots, of rich deep 



blood-red colour, boils tender, and is of superior flavour 0 6..1 6 



Carter's St. Osyth's, medium size, good shape, short top, rich deep blood-red 



colour, fine flavour , 0 G..I 6 



Cattell's, a useful sort 0 6 



Henderson's Pine Apple, compact short-topped variety, roots medium sized, 



and of a fine deep crimson 0 3..0 6 



White's Black, large root, almost black 0 4 



CARROT. 



Selection and Preparation of the Land. — A light deep sandy loam, or peaty soil, is most 

 suitable ; and, as farm-yard manure applied in a fresh state often induces forked and ill-shaped roots, 

 ground which had been heavily manured the previous season should be selected. The soil should be 

 trenched deeply, and ridged, as long before sowing as possible, and if manure is considered 

 indispensable, let this be giveu after the crop is up, using guano, or some good artificial manure. 



Time and Manner of Sowing. — Sow some approved early sort in February, or as soon as 

 the ground is in fair working condition, on a warm sheltered border. The main crop should be sown 

 towards the end of April or tirst week in May, with an early sort about the middle of July, to furnish 

 a supply of young Carrots during autumn and early winter. Sow the main crop in drills twelve to 

 fifteen inches apart, covering the seeds evenly to the depth of about half an inch. Those for early 

 and late use will be drawn while young, and may be sown broadcast in beds, or in lines nine inches 

 apart. 



After Management. — Keep the ground clear of weeds by a free use of the hoe, but as deep 

 stirring of the soil might injure the roots, and cause them to grow forked, this .should be avoided. 

 As soon as the plants are sufficiently strong, thin out the main crop, so as to leave about eight inches 

 between each plant ; the demand likely to exist for young carrots must, to some extent, regulate the 

 thinning of the early sorts, but in no case should a less distance than three inches be allowed between j 

 the plants. On the approach of winter take up the crop, taking care not to wound or bruise the j 

 roots, and, after cutting off the tops and cleaning the roots, st.jre them in a cool cellar, packing in | 

 sand, or they may be buried in soil, as is done with potatoes. 



per pkt. per oz. ! 



Earliest French Short Horn, a favourite little carrot, prized not only on 



account of its extreme earliness, but superior flavour; the best variety for forcing 0 3..0 6 



Early Scarlet Horn, an exceedingly useful variety 0 3. .0 4 



Long Orange, somewhat similar to Surrey 0 3 



Covent Garden Xiong- Surrey, the longest and best for main crop 0 3..0 4 



New Intermediate, a very superior variety for shallow soils 0 3..0 4 



James' Scarlet Short Top, a good useful sort 0 4 



