122 Svhtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



bed ; this remains green during the severest weather. For 

 this purpose the seed should be sown about the first of 

 November, or in regions north of the lower Gulf region, 

 about the first of October. As the plants grow larger 

 they should be thinned out, so as to have from four to 

 nine plants to the square foot. If the flower-stalks are 

 cut down early, the yield of leaves is prolonged. 



Parsley can scarcely be over-fertilized by using manure. 

 If commercial fertilizer is used, an abundance of cotton- 

 seed meal should be given as a source of nitrogen. The 

 general directions for fertilizing and the amounts given 

 for parsnips will be found useful for this crop. 



Parsley readily produces seed in six months or so after 

 sowing. The plants left for seed should be selected for 

 their leaves and allowed a space of l| feet apart. The 

 seed stalks are dried when the seed is mature and the seed 

 threshed out. 



The Plain-leaved variety of parsley is most used for 

 flavoring soups, fish, and the like. The Creole Plain- 

 leaved has long been acclimatized in Louisiana. For 

 garnishing, the Moss Curled and the Extra Curled will 

 be found desirable. The variety known as Hamburg 

 or Turnip-rooted has a large root, which is the part 

 used in flavoring or in salads. 



CRESS 



Of cresses there are several very different kinds or groups, 

 all belonging to the mustard family. We may here treat 

 only three, as the others are little grown. These three are 

 the common garden cress, Lepidium sativum; the upland 



