The Parsnip 



191 



plant near the flower-heads. Control: Spray or dust the 

 flower-heads with arsenate of lead after they have opened. So 

 doing will kill many of the caterpillars. 



The parsnip occupies the land the entire season. The 

 seeds are sown in spring as early as the ground is fit. As 

 they germinate slowly, it is well to plant radishes or other 

 quick-growing seeds with 

 them to break the ground 

 and mark the row; of 

 course these other plants 

 must be quickly removed, 

 and this may not be prac- 

 ticable in a large area. 

 The crop is sometimes 

 grown for live-stock. 



The plant makes a 

 long-cylindrical tapering 

 root (Fig. 98) : therefore 

 the ground should be 

 deep. Much of the value 

 of the parsnip as a mar- 

 ket crop is destroyed 

 when the roots are 

 branchy and forking. 

 Land that is shallow and 

 lumpy tends to make 

 such roots. Good pars- 

 nip roots should be 1 

 foot long, and straight, clean and comely. 



Parsnips are rarely sold before the end of the season. 

 ' They afe sent to market in crates, boxes and barrels. They 



Parsnip (X 1/6)- 



