PARSNIP. 221 



depends on the nature of the ground. If the seed is 

 sown in drills, these should be drawn shallow, full 

 a foot apart, and the plants thinned in the rows to 

 nearly that distance. In about three weeks the seeds 

 begin to germinate ; and when the plants are about 

 two or three inches high, they will require the first 

 thinning with a four-inch hoe, cutting up, at the 

 same time, all weeds that may have arisen. Their 

 second hoeing should be within a month afterwards, 

 when they must be finally thinned out to the re- 

 gular distance above mentioned ; and should the 

 ground be remarkably good, a greater distance will 

 be required. After the second hoeing and thin- 

 ning, the plants may probably require another 

 weeding, till they are in full leaf, when they cover 

 the ground, and bid defiance to any further inter- 

 ruption from weeds. 



In the autumn, about October or November, 

 the roots will have nearly attained their full growth. 

 When the leaves begin to turn yellow and decay, 

 which is a certain sign of ther maturity, they may 

 be dug up for use, as they are wanted. Parsnips 

 are not liable, like carrots, to be injured by severe 

 weather: however, the author made it a general 

 rule to take the whole crop up before Christmas, 

 clearing and laying them in sand, like other roots, 

 under cover ; where, if properly protected, they will 

 continue good till May of the following spring. 



In taking up parsnips, the greater their length, 

 the better they keep ; hence a trench should be 

 opened of sufficient depth for a proper hold to be 

 taken to pull them up, which is better than cutting 

 them off with the spade. 



