74 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



phosphoric acid and ten per cent potash — should be broad- 

 cast before raking and the surface of the beds made very 

 fine and even. Sow the seed thinly in drills a foot apart to 

 fifteen inches for wheel-hoe culture, and not deeper than 

 half an inch. Sowing should be done when the soil is moist 

 enough to work well. 



Parsley. The seed germinates very slowly and should be 

 soaked a day or two in lukewarm water before planting. 



Parsnips and Salsify. Both of these good winter vege- 

 tables have peculiar-shaped seeds. The ground where they 

 are to be planted should be spaded deeply, as they require 

 a generous depth of soil in order to make shapely roots. 

 Thin out as soon as they are well started. 



Peas. These may be sown in single or twin rows about 

 six inches apart, making the rows three to four feet apart 

 for the dwarf varieties and a little more for the tall ones if 

 brush is to be used. Make the first plantings quite shallow, 

 and sow extra thick. If they come up too thickly some of 

 the plants should be cut out with a small hoe, or pulled 

 out. 



Radishes. Sow only a few feet of row at a time, as they 

 mature very quickly and soon get stringy and pithy. A 

 good method is to sow a short row in the seed border each 

 week. A generous dressing of land plaster along the row 

 before sowing will make them bright and crisp. 



Turnips. These mature quickly, and only a few of the 

 earlier sorts should be sown. Weed the rows and thin out 

 as soon as possible after they are up. 



