SOILS SUITABLE-PREPARATION OF. 3 



tion in shallow soils. It is hollow-crowned, the root 

 having its largest diameter at the top, and rapidly dimin- 

 ishing downwards, so as to assume rather the shape of 

 the turnip. Its surface is much furrowed, but owing to 

 its conical shape it is easily removed from its bed. 



The parsnip has even a wider range of soils than the 

 carrot; as, notwithstanding in its natural state it is a 

 plant indigenous to light soils, especially in limestone 

 districts, it will succeed well under cultivation in clay 

 soils of more than medium tenacity. At the same time, 

 like other of our cultivated plants, it has its choice of soils, 

 and will thrive far better in some than in others. The ex- 

 tremes, whether of light or of heavy soils, are those which 

 are least suitable to it, and on these the crop is rarely a 

 satisfactory one. Alluvial soils, good strong loams, and 

 the soils proceeding from the disintegrated metamorphic 

 rocks of the Channel Islands, provided they be deep 

 enough, are those most congenial to its growth ; and on 

 these, in favourable climates and seasons, the returns are 

 very large. Like the carrot, it is fed chiefly by its tap- 

 root ; and this, in a vigorous plant, pushes itself down deep 

 into the soil, in search of the mineral substances necessary 

 for its general structural requirements. If these are met 

 with plentifully it assimilates them rapidly, and com- 

 mences that abnormal development of the root which 

 distinguishes the cultivated from the natural plant. If 

 these necessary ingredients be not present in the soil, or 

 if the soil be too shallow, or too hard to allow the root 

 a good downward range in search of food, the root will 

 be checked in its development, and very likely become 

 either curved or forked, from being opposed in its natural 

 tendency of growth. Any obstacle in the soil, as stones, 

 roots, or other substances, is also likely to produce this un- 

 desirable form of root, which not only lessens the produce, 

 but also renders it more difficult to lift at harvest-time. 



