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Voles and vegetables
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Voles and vegetables
Three voles engaging in digging up carrots
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14128248
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Carrot Carrots Digging Rodent Underground Vegetables Vole Voles
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A Delightful Dilemma: Voles and Carrots in Historical Horticulture This image from the annals of historical horticulture depicts three voles (Microtus spp.) in the act of digging up carrots (Daucus carota), a scene that once posed a significant challenge for early European gardeners. Carrots, with their distinctive orange hue and sweet, crunchy texture, have been cultivated for over 5,000 years, but their shallow roots made them an easy target for these small, unassuming rodents. Voles, also known as meadow mice or field mice, are semi-fossorial rodents that live and feed primarily on vegetation, including the succulent roots of carrots. Their keen sense of smell and agility make them expert burrowers, allowing them to excavate the earth with ease and unearth the precious roots. The presence of voles in carrot fields was a common problem for European farmers and gardeners during the Middle Ages and beyond. To protect their valuable crops, farmers employed various methods, such as setting traps, using terriers to hunt the voles, or even employing children to patrol the fields and scare off the rodents. Despite the challenges posed by voles, carrots remained a popular vegetable due to their unique flavor and nutritional benefits. Carrots were believed to have originated in Afghanistan, where they were used for both food and medicine, and were later introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Over time, carrots were selectively bred for their sweet taste and vibrant orange color, making them a staple in European and American gardens. This charming photograph, with its glimpse into the past, serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between agriculture and the natural world. It also highlights the ingenuity and resilience of early farmers and gardeners, who, despite the challenges posed by voles and other pests, continued to cultivate and enjoy the bounty of the earth.
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