220 PLAIN AND PLEASANT TALK 



lost. We very seldom see an unmixed variety in common 

 gardens, unless seed have been bought from good seeds- 

 men. 



The best seed is a small black seed about the size of a 

 pin head, enveloped in a ragged, rough, two or three lobed 

 husk. Every seeming seed planted, then, is a mere envel- 

 ope of two or more seeds, and two or three plants come up, 

 very much to the surprise of the inexperienced, for each 

 husk. "When a little advanced, they are to be thinned out 

 to one in a j^lace. 



We prefer planting very early, and in rows eight inches 

 apart and at about one inch distant in the roAV. As the plants 

 begin to gain size they make very delicate greens ; and for 

 this purpose are to be boiled, leaf, root, and all. Continue 

 to thin out until one is left for every six niches for full 

 growth. 



Every year a great ado is made about monstrous beets — 

 twenty and thirty pounders. There is no objection to 

 these giants, unless they beget an idea that size is the test 

 of merit. For table-use, medium sized fruits and vegetables 

 are every way preferable ; a beet should never be larger 

 than a goose-egg. 



It is equally foolish to suppose that large, coarse-grained 

 vegetables, whether potatoes, beets, parsnips, ruta bagas, or 

 anything else, are as good for stock, though not so palat- 

 able to men. To be sure they fill up. But that which is 

 nutriment to man is nutriment to beast ; a vegetable which 

 is rank and watery is no better for my cow than for us. 

 It is not the hulk but the quality that measures the fitness 

 of articles for food. 



Parsnip. — ^This vegetable is, to those who are fond of it, 

 very desirable, as coming in at a time when other things are 

 failing. For, although the parsnip attains its size by 

 autumn, yet its flavor seems to depend upon its receiving a 

 pretty good frosting. It may be dug at open spells through 

 the winter and early In the spring. It gives one of the 



