PAR 



PAR 



only, without burning them. These 

 sods contain iniiuiiierable seeds of 

 weeds, and etrs^s or maggots of in- 

 sects, wliicli are not destroyed by the 

 fermentation of the heap, but, on tlie 

 contrary, are brought to life. The 

 loss of a portion of vegetable matter 

 in the burning is amply compensated 

 by the destruction of these enemies 

 of the future crops. 



" It now only remains to take no- 

 tice of the soils and situations where 

 paring and burning cannot be recom- 

 mended. Wlierever the soil is very 

 loose from a great proportion of sili- 

 cious sand in its composition, and is 

 held together chiefly by the slender 

 roots which run through it, the burn- 

 ing would destroy the whole of the 

 vegetable matter ; for none of the 

 volatile parts which the fire dissi- 

 pates or generates would be retained 

 or absorbed, but would pass through 

 the loose sand in the same way that 

 water would. Here, then, would be 

 actual destruction ; and the residue 

 would be a mere barren silicious 

 sand, much worse and more porous 

 than it was when held together by 

 the roots. The only way to bring 

 such soils into cultivation is to put 

 clay, marl, or vegetable matter on 

 them, and to force vegetation by 

 means of liquid manures, chiefly the 

 urine of animals, consolidating them 

 by every means applicable, so that 

 they may retain moisture, and that 

 the manure may not be washed 

 through by the rains. Such soils may 

 be improved, but they are the most 

 ungrateful of any ; and it is only ne- 

 cessity and indefatigable industry 

 which can make them produce any 

 crops. 



" It is very easy to ascertain wheth- 

 er any soil will be improved or not 

 by paring and burning. A few sods 

 may be taken and exposed to heat m 

 an iron pot closely covered over, or 

 in a large crucible ; the heat should 

 not be so great as to produce light, 

 but should be kept up for a consider- 

 able time, till the sods are consumed. 

 If the ashes are red, and the whole 

 is a fine powder, with particles of 

 charcoal in it, the soil from which it 

 556 



was taken may be safely pared and 

 burned, especially if it forms a mud 

 will) water, and the earth is not read- 

 ily deposited. But if it feels gritty, 

 lets the water readily through, and is 

 soon deposited when mixed with it, 

 burning will not be advantageous. 

 This is the evident result of the prin- 

 ciples laid down before. 



'• On the whole, the operation of 

 paring and burning, when judiciously 

 applied and proi)erly performed, is a 

 most excellent and cheap improve- 

 ment of certain soils, and it will never 

 diminish their fertility, if they are 

 properly cultivated and manured, and 

 a judicious succession of crops is 

 adopted ; but, on the contrary, it will 

 improve their quality and texture, 

 and make them more productive.'" — 

 (Rham.) 



P A R K. An enclosed woodland 

 pasture. 



PAROTID GLAND. A large sal- 

 ivary gland, situated at the angle of 

 the jaws. 



PAROXYSM. A sharp attack, an 

 increase of sickness. 



PARSLEY. Apium pctroselinum. 

 A biennial, umbelliferous plant, the 

 aromatic leaves of which are much 

 used in cookery. It is propagated 

 readily by seed in a dr>', fair soil. 

 The curled variety is the prettiest. 

 A bed once formed will perpetuate 

 itself, if suffered to bear a few seeds 

 annually. It may be covered by straw 

 in the fall to protect it from winter. 



PARSLEY, THE HAMBURGH. 

 Apt am latifolium. This plant is cul- 

 tivated for its root, which resembles 

 a middling-sized parsnip ; it is man- 

 aged and used in the same way, and 

 is a good vegetable. 



PARSLEY, WILD. Wild celery. 

 This and similar umbelliferous plants, 

 growing in wet places, are acrid, and 

 should be carefully weeded out from 

 pastures. 



PARSNIP. Pastinaca saliva. Va- 

 rieties : Jersey long, and large Dutch, 

 a well-known umbelliferous plant, 

 cultivated for its roots. It grows 

 well in deep, rich, loamy clay, or 

 sandy soils, and is cultivated exactly 

 like the carrot. Sow in April or May, 



