GARDENING FoR ALL. 41 
Onions, shewing the effects of thinning (on the left) 
and of non-thinning (on the right). 
For obtaining large onions for use the following summer, 
they ought to be transplanted in March or April upon rich 
soil. Let the rows be fourteen inches apart and the plants 
nine inches apart in the rows. See that they do not suffer 
from want of water, and feed them occasionally with weak 
liquid manure ; this applies also to those sown in March. 
PARSNIP.—(Pastinaca sativa). 
The parsnip is a native of South Europe, and takes its 
name from the form of its root : pastinum, or dibble. 
It is one of the easiest of vegetables to cultivate, is profit- 
able to growers for market, and a delicious auxilliary to our 
winter supply of food. The roots are very nutritious, and 
are very valuable when potatoes are scarce, as was experienced 
during the early months of the year 1895, when potatoes 
rose to £6 and parsnips to nearly £4 per ton. 
Sow from the middle of February to the middle of March 
(but the middle of April is not too late for securing a good 
crop) upon ground that has been well manured for a previous 
crop, such as peas, beans, or celery, or even ouions. Let the 
soil be deeply stirred with the spade or fork, and when it has 
settled, sow in drills fifteen inches apart. Thin out to nine 
inches from plant to plant. An ounce of seed will sow a drill 
eighty to a hundred feet long, and eight to ten pounds is 
sufficient for an acre. 
