I02 GARDEN STEPS 



removed, while the plants are thinned to stand three 

 inches apart in the row. They need no further care, 

 except cultivation, to ripen the crop, and there is 

 no disease or pest which greatly disturbs the pars- 

 nip. If the web-worm appears, a spray of arsenate 

 of lead will dispose of it. 



Storing. — When fall sets in, dig what parsnips 

 you wish to use before the ground thaws in the spring, 

 and put them down cellar. Cover them with 

 earth near the carrots and beets. The rest may be 

 left in the ground and will be improved in flavor 

 after a winter in the garden. Be sure that water does 

 not stand over the row, so that it will freeze and 

 thaw near the parsnip tops, as it will rot them. A 

 thin mulch of leaves, directly over the row, will 

 shed the water. 



All parsnips left in the ground should be dug as 

 soon as the earth thaws in the spring, as they soon 

 sprout and become unfit for the table. Roots left 

 in the garden will grow a great many seeds which 

 will be scattered about by the wind ; these, now 

 that you don't want them to, will sprout freely and 

 interfere with other crops. Parsnips growing wild 

 this way are considered poisonous. 



