496 VILLA GARDENING I'Ap.t v 



and is easily increased by division of the roots in spring, or it may 

 be raised from seeds sown in March or April. Plant either in 

 single rows or in beds from 12 to 15 inches apart. Keep the 

 flower stems cut away, but do not cut all down at once, or the 

 supply will be stopped for a time. It is not necessary to divide 

 the roots even.- year, though they should not be allowed to stand 

 too long in one situation. If there is a demand for Sorrell in 

 winter, it may easily be forced in pots or boxes in a warm genial 

 temperature. The plants for forcing shoidd be potted or boxed in 

 autumn and sheltered in a cold pit till introduced to the forcing 

 structiure, a few at a time as required. 



CHAPTER XXVI 



Parsley. — I shall have a chapter on herb culture farther on, 

 but I think Parsley is of sufficient importance to be treated 

 separately. Were I asked which Is the best time to sow Parsley, 

 I should .say, if only one sowing were made, from tlie middle to 

 the end of July ; and if I only .sowed Parsley once a-year I shoiUd 

 .sow at that season in preference to spring, especially in cold back- 

 ward situation.s. The advantage of sowing then is that but very 

 few of the plants nm to seed the following year, and those few can 

 be pulled up and a good even bed will still be left. In tlie Villa 

 Garden there should be a place for everj-thing, and everj'thing should 

 be in its place. Parsley should be sown in some easily accessible 

 spot. The soil should Ije deep, and the site well drained, especially 

 for winter use. It is best to sow in drills, and, as the seeds take 

 a long time to germinate, the drills may be a good half inch deep 

 — more rather than less when sown in July. Sow thinly, as few 

 l>eople really thin Parsley enough, and there is in some places a 

 prejudice against transplanting Parsley, though I do not know 

 why. I have transplanted Parsley all through the growing season. 

 If we sow in spring the land should be in good condition before 

 the seeds are committed to the ground. There is not much gained 

 by sowing before February, even in fiivourable situations. In 

 dealing with a choice new sort I have sown in a box or pan, started 

 the seeds in a gentle hotbed, and pricked out as soon as large 

 enough when properly hardened off. When we sow in summer 

 the drills are soaked with water (liquid manure if one can spare 

 it) ; the seeds are scattered thiuly in the drills and covered with 

 fine soil inclined to dryness, as this -wi]! keep in the moisture 

 and hasten genntnation. The thinning should be done before the 

 plants begin to spread much — from 5 to 6 inches apart will 



