VEGETABLES — DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 



387 



dry and hot, when it will come up readily. It is best to 

 sow it pretty early, as the seed remains long in the soil 

 before vegetating. The beds must be made annually, if 

 the plants are allowed to run to seed; but if the seed 

 stalks are cut down as often as they rise, the plants will 

 last many years. Many sow parsley as an edging to other 

 beds or compartments. If in beds, it is better to sow in 

 drills ten inches 

 apart. Any good 

 garden soil is rich 

 enough for this 

 plant. Pulverize 

 the bed by thor- 

 ough spading, and 

 rake it level before 

 making the drills. 

 Sow the seed mode- 

 rately t h i c k in 

 drills half an inch 

 deep, and press fine 

 soil upon it. The 

 plants will not 

 come up in less 

 than three or four, 

 and sometimes six 

 weeks. If sown 

 late give it a shady border. Should the bed get weedy 

 before the parsley appears pull the intruders out by hand. 

 As soon as the rows can be seen, hoe between them, and 

 draw a rake crosswise to break the crust which has been 

 formed, and the plants will grow vigorously. They will 

 be fit for use when two or three inches high. When they 

 get strong thin them out to three inches, and finally to 

 nine inches apart, being careful to reject all plants from 



Fig. 139— Market Gardener's Parsley. 



