CARROT, a biennial plant (Daucus carols) of the family Apiacece. It is a native of Europe, introduced into America, and is known as a i troublesome weed upon poor land, especially in the eastern United States. It is more favorably known by its cultivated varieties which are said to have been derived originally from Holland prior to the 16th century, since when it has become de servedly popular in all temperate climates. Cer tain large-rooted varieties are raised for stock feeding. The most popular culinary varieties are small, rapidly growing plants with diversely formed roots. Since they are most used as a flavoring in soups, stews and other dishes which have not become specially popular in America, they are less cultivated here than in Europe. The plants succeed best in a warm, friable, rich soil, well supplied with moisture, free from stones, weeds, etc., and in the best physical condition. The seed may be sown in drills one-half foot apart as soon as the ground has become warm, since they are slow to ger minate and since the seedlings are very tiny. A few radish seeds of an early maturing variety are usually planted with them to break the soil and indicate the positions of the rows, so that cultivation may be commenced early.
The radishes are pulled when they reach edible size and the carrots given clean cultivation, the plants being thinned to stand two or three inches apart. When they reach edible size they are bunched and marketed. The larger growing kinds are planted in rows 24 to 30 inches apart and the plants thinned to three or four inches. When mature they are stored in pits or root cellars. Few diseases attack the carrot and the few harmful insects are usually controlled by their parasites.
The average percentage composition of car rots is: Water, 88.6; nitrogen-free extract, 7.6; carbohydrate, 1.3; protein, 1.1; fat, a trace; ash, about 1 per cent. They resemble other root and tuber vegetables in their succulence and nutritive value. They are greatly relished by stock, especially horses, but are usually placed in American rations by cheaper foods.