Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/471

Rh convenience, they have excited the attention of the most ingenious artisans, who have sedulously studied to improve them. Hence a variety of experiments have been made, in order to ascertain the best, and most proper mode of constructing them, and preventing the different obstacles which tend to impede their motion. To discuss these, would be to embark into too wide a held of inquiry into the principles of mechanics, and to deviate from that plan of conciseness we have adopted. Those of our readers, who may be desirous of acquiring minute information on this subject, will be gratified by a perusal of Mr. 's "Remarks on Wheel-Carriages," 1789, 8vo. 2s. 6d., in which it is fully and ingeniously investigated; and the rules for constructing wheel-carriages are laid down, according to the strictest principles of mechanics.  CARROT, or Daucus, L. a genus of plants comprising ten species, of which the Carota, or common carrot, only is cultivated in Britain, where it was introduced from Flanders, in the reign of Queen.

Carrots are propagated from seeds, which maybe sown at different times, during the whole season; in order to procure a succession of young roots for the table. They require an open situation, at a little distance from a wall; the seeds should be previously rubbed between the hands, to take off their beards, as they will otherwise adhere to each other, and come up in patches; but if sown close under the wall, they will too quickly run up to seed, and produce indifferent roots.—These plants delight in a warm, light, sandy loam, which should be dug to a considerable depth, to facilitate the roots striking downwards, as they are apt to become forked, and to shoot out lateral branches. They grow most luxuriantly after turnips, which render the land more clear of weeds than it is found after any other crop. As a culinary article, the carrot is well known; it also furnishes a wholesome and nutritious fodder for cows: if given to them in the winter, and early in the spring, it greatly increases their milk, and imparts to it an agreeable flavour. Hogs thrive well on carrots, which they fondly eat, when boiled in their wash. A sparing allowance of these roots, besides the usual food, is said to produce an invigorating effect on hunters: plough, and cart-horses also eat them with avidity; and, while thus fed, require no corn, and very little hay. Oxen and sheep fatten very speedily on carrots; and, if the latter animals are "half fat," when put up, they will be completely so, in about three months. This vegetable has also been cultivated for feeding deer, in parks; a practice which, in severe winters, when every other kind of food is scarce, has been attended with advantage. As a fodder for cows, sheep, and swine, the tops of carrots are equally valuable with the roots. Nay, sometimes even hay has been made by mowing these tops, towards the latter end of June; yet they should not be cut so closely as to injure the crown of the root.

Although carrots, when left in the ground, will not endure the severity of winter, like cabbages and other vegetables, yet, by proper care, they may be preserved, so as to afford a wholesome and