Root Crops and How to Grow Them 221 



Parsnip seed is very likely to germinate poorly, and if 

 more than one year old, it may fail entirely. It is a good 

 plan to sow the seed rather thickly. The plants should 

 be thinned until they stand 3 inches from one another 

 in rows at least 12 inches apart. Salsify is less rank in 

 leafy growth and can stand slightly closer than 3 inches 

 in the row. 



The so-called Sandwich Island variety of salsify is 

 the only sort widely cultivated in America. The Hollow 

 Crown is the best variety of parsnip to plant ; the variety 

 Early Round has short, top-shaped roots of good flavor 

 but of such small yield that it is not to be recommended 

 for the home garden. 



HORSE-RADISH 



Horse-radish is a perennial plant that thrives best in 

 rich loam soil. The roots are grated fine and used as a 

 relish and condiment. Roots for use during autumn 

 and spring may be dug as needed ; those for use during 

 winter can be stored in sand and placed in a cool cellar. 



New plants are always started from roots rather than 

 from seeds. When digging roots for table use, spade 

 deeply, breaking up the root clusters and removing the 

 largest. New plants will arise from the small roots 

 left in the soil. A few hills will provide a family with a 

 sufficient supply of horse-radish. 



SWEET POTATO 



Sweet potatoes are grown successfully as a field and 

 garden crop as far north as the upper parts of zone E. 



