128 Home Vegetable Gardening 



ing lightly. Then beat down the surface evenly. 

 After eight days, cover with two inches of light 

 loam, firmly compacted. This may be covered with 

 a layer of straw or other light material to help 

 maintain an even degree of moisture, but should be 

 removed as soon as the mushrooms begin to appear. 

 Water only when the soil is very dry ; better if water 

 is warmed to about 60 degrees. When gathering 

 never leave stems in the bed as they are likely to 

 breed maggots. The crop should appear in six to 

 eight weeks after spawning the bed. 



Parsley: — This very easily grown little plant 

 should have at least a row or two in the seed-bed 

 devoted to it. For use during winter, a box or a 

 few pots may be filled with cut-back roots and given 

 moderate temperature and moisture. If no frames 

 are on hand, the plants usually will do well in a 

 sunny window. 



Parsley seed is particularly slow in germinating. 

 Use a few seeds of turnip or carrot to indicate the 

 rows, and have the bed very finely prepared. 



Rhubarb: — This is another of the standard vege- 

 tables which no home garden should be without. 

 For the bed pick out a spot where the roots can stay 

 without interfering with the plowing and working 

 of the garden — next the asparagus bed, if in a good 

 early location, will be as good as any. One short 

 row will supply a large family. 



