This section is from the book "Cooking Vegetables. Practical American Cookery", by Jules Arthur Harder. Also available from Amazon: The Physiology Of Taste.
Carrote. Moehre.
No. 373. - The Carrot is a biennial root, somewhat hardy, and is one of the most healthful and nutritious of garden roots. It is extensively used as a vegeteble for the table, and for seasoning and garnitures. It contains a certain amount of sugar, which adds to its nutritious quality. There are several different varieties, all of which can be obtained all the year round. The larger varieties are also cultivated as an agricultural root, and are better suited than other kinds of food for dairy cattle, not alone because they are nutritious, but because they impart a good color and flavor to the butter.
No. 374. - The Carrot succeeds best in light, sandy loam, made rich by manuring the previous year. The roots often grow pronged and ill-shaped, in imperfectly manured ground. It is better to sow as early in spring as the ground can be got ready, but if planting is necessarily delayed until late in the season, the seed must be soaked in tepid water twenty-four hours, then dry it by mixing in sifted ashes, and sow it in fully prepared soil.
No. 375. - This is the earliest variety, is valuable for forcing, and has a small root of fine flavor.
No. 376. - An old and favorite variety, much esteemed for summer use.
No. 377. - A variety intermediate in size, with stunted roots. Its period of maturity is between the Early Scarlet Horn and the Long Orange.
No. 378. - This is similar to the Half Long Red with stunted roots, except that the roots are pointed.
No. 379. - An early variety without core, and is excellent for forcing, or is used as an early kind for planting in the open ground.
No. 380. - It is adapted for garden or farm culture, and has large-.sized roots.
No. 381. - This is a valuable variety having the smallest root of any kind grown, but it will yield the greatest bulk. Its color is a rich shade of orange and it grows very smooth and handsome.
No. 382. - An excellent variety, large and finely flavored.
No. 383. - A very productive variety, but grown almost exclusively for stock.
No. 384. - When young, the roots are mild, delicate and of good flavor; when full grown, it is only valuable for stock.
No. 385. - Carrots should always be scraped, and should only be prepared when ready for use. When young use them as a vegetable, and prefer those that are stunt rooted. Cook them whole, or cut them in small parts. The large carrots are cut in different shapes, with spoon cutters, for garnitures, but when used as a vegetable, cut them in a short, thick Julienne. When used for Julienne soup, cut them two inches crosswise; then slice them, and cut them lengthwise in small stems. When they get older, use only the red part, which you peel off by cutting it the same thickness. In this way the pieces will stay whole, but in the other way the pieces will break off when cooked.
 
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