PARSNIP 



191 



Thin early to six to nine inches in the rows. Trans- 

 plant thinnings. 



Dig spring -sown roots after the early frosts. Dig 

 fall-sown in early summer. 



PARSNIP (Pastinaca sativa) is a biennial plant, 

 grown from seed for its thick roots, used as a vegetable, 

 and in soups and stews. It is a long-season plant, 

 requiring the ground from early spring till fall; it is 





Fig. 90. Parsnip seedlings. Two-thirds natural size. 



very hardy to frost, and the roots may be left in the 

 ground through the winter, many supposing that they 

 are improved by the freezing, though Bailey claims that 

 this is an error, since all they need is to be kept from 

 shriveling. As Vilmorin-Andrieux says, when stored 

 under cover they sometimes get "spongy and strong- 

 flavored." Therefore store in sand, or leave in the 

 ground till wanted. Parsnips require deep ground, not 

 recently manured, but rich; as the seeds are slow to 

 germinate, the ground should not be allowed to bake 

 over them. Once the plants have covered the ground 



