238 



GARDENING FOR TUK SOUTH. 



its wild state, it is said to have poisonous properties; but 

 it is rendered by cultivation sweet, palatable, and very 

 nutritious for man and beast. The garden parsnips have 

 smooth and light-green leaves, while those of the Avild va- 

 riety are dark-green and hairy ; but the two do not differ 

 so much as the w^ild and cultivated carrot. This plant is 

 of the hardiest nature, being improved by remaining in the 

 ground exposed to frost during the winter. The best va- 

 riety for the garden is the Hollow-crown or Sugar parsnip. 

 Its roots are smoother, more handsome, and better flavored 

 than the other varieties. It is distinguished by the cavity 

 or cup which crowns the root. The ash of parsnips has 

 been analyzed by Eichardson, and found to be constituted 

 as follows : 



Potassa, ..... 



. 36.12 



Soda, ..... 



3.11 



Lime, ..... 



. 11.43 



Magnesia, .... 



9.94 



Sesquioxide of Manganese, 



.89 



Sulphuric Acid, . 



6.50 



Silicic Acid, .... 



. 110 



Phosphoric Acid, 



18.66 



Phosphate of Iron, . 



. 3.71 



Chloride of Sodium 



5.54 





100.00 



Potash and phosphoric acid are the elements most 

 likely to be wanting in the soil, in sufficient quantity for 

 this crop. Bone-dust and wood-ashes will be the best ad- 

 dition which can be made. 



Parsnips like a rich, sandy loam, the more deeply dug 

 the better. They do exceedingly well on rich bottom lands, 

 but do not succeed well in stiff clays. The manure should 

 be applied to a previous crop. If the soil be dug two 

 spades deep, or trench-plowed, it will improve the crop. 



