112 Home Vegetable Gardening 



days in the sun, and then spread out flat, not more 

 than four inches deep, under cover with plenty of 

 light and air. Before severe freezing store in slatted 

 barrels, as described in Chapter XIV. 



Parsnip: — Sow as early as possible, in deep rich 

 soil, but where no water will stand during fall and 

 winter. The seed germinates very slowly, so the 

 seed-bed should be very finely prepared. They will 

 be ready for use in the fall, but are much better 

 after the first frosts. For method of keeping see 

 Chapter XIV. 



Potato: — If your garden is a small one, buy your 

 main supply of potatoes from some nearby farmer, 

 first trying half a bushel or so to be sure of the 

 quality. Purchase in late September or October 

 when the crop is being dug and the price is low. 



For an extra early and choice supply for the home 

 garden, start a peck or so in early March, as follows : 

 Select an early variety, seed of good size and clean; 

 cut to pieces containing one or two eyes, and pack 

 closely together on end in flats of coarse sand. Give 

 these full light and heat, and by the middle to end 

 of April they will have formed dense masses of 

 roots, and nice, strong, stocky sprouts, well leaved 

 out. Dig out furrows two and a half feet apart, and 

 incorporate well rotted manure in the bottom, with 

 the soil covering this until the furrow is left two to 

 three inches deep. Set the sprouted tubers, pressing 



