CULTIVATION HARVESTING, &o. 7 



which can readily be done by laying it in a piece of flan- 

 nel, kept moist, and at a gentle temperature. If the seed 

 be good, and its germination be regular, from 2 to 4 Ibs. 

 are amply sufficient for an acre ; if the proportion of ger- 

 minating seed be small for the unsold seed of former years 

 is too often mixed with it a larger quantity will be neces- 

 sary. The seed previous to sowing should be carefully 

 mixed with about 2 bushels of sand, slightly moistened, 

 which separates it, and assists much in its more equal 

 distribution over the field ; and for the reasons given at 

 p. 472, vol. i., it is equally desirable that a small quantity of 

 grain should be mixed with it at the time of sowing. In 

 this state it can be deposited by the ordinary drill of the 

 farm, either with or without manure, in the manner 

 already described. The application of a top-dressing of 

 some readily soluble artificial manure, say 2 to 3 cwts. of 

 Peruvian guano to the acre, will generally be produc- 

 tive of good results; this, mixed with about the same 

 quantity of sand or coal ashes, should be broadcasted 

 and harrowed in before or at the time of drilling. 

 The distances between the rows, and indeed the after 

 cultivation of the parsnip, are exactly the same as 

 that of the carrot crop the principal object to be 

 gained is, by means of hoeing and stirring the surface 

 as frequently as necessary, to keep it clear from weeds, 

 and ready for the reception of the succeeding grain crop. 

 About the middle of October the leaves begin to change 

 colour and to show signs of decay, indicating that the 

 further development of the roots has ceased, and that they 

 may be removed from the soil. If lifted at this time, the 

 leaves, which are larger and more succulent than those of 

 the carrot, may be given with advantage to the stock ; if 

 their decay is too far advanced, they should be distri- 

 buted over the surface and ploughed in as manure. The 

 same labour and expense are required in lifting the crop 



