218 



STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



mm 



rows, three or four inches apart. 

 Parsley makes a pretty edging for 

 the walks of the vegetable garden. 

 As but little generally is needed, if 

 sown in the garden in rows, it will 

 be only necessary to thin out and de- 

 stroy the surplus plants. Parsley is 

 a universal favorite for soups, and 

 for garnishing there is nothing bo 

 good as some of the best kinds. In- 

 deed, it has been recommended and 

 nsed for bouquets ; but one poor 

 gardener tried it only once, for he 

 was coolly informed by the lady that 

 she wished a bouquet for the parlor, 

 and not herbs for the kitchen. 



PARSNIPS. 



The Parsnip flourishes best, and gives the longest, largest, smoothest roots in 

 a very deep, rich soil, — one that has been made rich with manure the previous 

 year. Manure, especially if fresh, makes the roots somewhat ill-shaped. Sow 

 as early in the spring as the ground can be made ready, in drills, from twelve 

 to eighteen inches apart, and about an inch deep. Thin the plants to five 

 or six inches apart. An ounce of seed will sow ore hundred and fifty feet of 

 drill very thickly. Six pounds of seed is the usual quantity sown on an acre. 

 The part of the crop required for spring use can remain in the ground during 

 the winter. If a portion is covered heavily with leaves, they can be dug at 

 any time. A few can be stored in a pit or cellar. For feeding cattle no 

 root is superior to the Parsnip. In the island of Guernsey, a few years ago, — 

 and perhaps the same state of things still exists, — pigs and cattle were al- 

 most or entirely fattened on this root. We have always thought that 

 American farmers did not realize the value of this root. In field 

 culture it would be advisable to make the rows wider apart, so as to 

 admit the cultivator one way. Although from the ease with which 

 corn is grown, particularly in the western states, it has been thought 

 that there is no great necessity for the culture of roots in this 

 country, we have no doubt that their more general growth wonld 

 be of material advantage in many ways, especially in the older sec- 

 tions of the country. Animals always thrive better, and are more 

 healthy, on a somewhat mixed diet in which roots form an impor- 

 tant part. This fact our best farmers are fast learning. As the 

 Parsnip is not injured by frost it seems well adapted to general 

 culture. Every one who visits any of the agricultural exhibitions 

 of Canada, must notice the great attention given to root culture in 

 that country, as shown by the quantity and quality of those exhib- 

 ited. There are several varieties of Parsnips, but we have found 

 little difference, and the old Hollow Crown seems as good as any. 

 Boots that are allowed to remain in the ground during the winter are better 

 flavored than those dug in the fall. As the roots go very deep, and seem to 

 have an unusually firm hold of the soil, if they are carelessly dug more than 

 half will be broken, which is a great injury to the crop. 



