100 GARDEN STEPS 



Planting. — In planting parsnips one has to choose 

 between difficulties. If the seed is put In too early, 

 the cold earth above it may hold it under till it rots. 

 If one waits till the earth is thoroughly warm, as 

 one does for carrots and beets, a warm, dry spell may 

 shrivel the seed and thus end its young life. The 

 safest plan for most localities is to plant parsnips 

 about a week before you intend to put in beets and 

 carrots. 



Dig the row over thoroughly with the spading 

 fork and rake it level and free from lumps and stones. 

 Then make rows eighteen inches apart and, with a 

 sharp stick, open a furrow about one inch deep. 

 Into this drop at least two seeds to the inch and draw 

 the earth back firmly about the seed, preferably 

 with the hands. Rake over the top of the row care- 

 fully with the wooden rake, after sprinkling two or 

 three handfuls .of commercial fertilizer above the 

 seed to help it start. If the season is dry, the row 

 should be thoroughly watered at least once a week 

 if it is possible to do so. It is better to water well 

 once a week than lightly twice a week. The rows 

 will probably need cultivation before the plants 

 show clearly. A few radish seeds, dropped here and 

 there in the row, will sprout quickly and serve as a 

 guide in cultivating. 



The first leaves of the parsnip are light green and 

 shaped like the first leaves of the beet. They re- 

 semble very much the weeds about them. The 



