224 



l*ARSNEP> 



culinary purposes as a pot-herb, for garnishes, &e. The 

 Hamburgh parsley is esteemed for its large, carrot-like root, 

 drawn in autumn and winter for the table. In field culti- 

 vation it is said to be a preservative from rot in sheep, and 

 efficacious in curing greasy and surfeited horses, &c.— ^See 

 New England Farmer y vol. vi. page 182. 



PARSNEP. — Pastinaca sativa. — Loudon observes, that 

 " There is only one variety of the parsnep in general cul- 

 tivation in Great Britain, but the French possess three — 

 the Coquaine^ the Lisbonaise^ and the Siam. The Coquainey 

 Dr. Maculloch informs us, (Caled. Ilort, Mem, vol.1, p. 

 408,) is much culti.vated in Guernsey and Jersey. The 

 roots run sometimes four feet deep, and are rarely so small 

 in circumference as six inches, having been known to 

 reach sixteen. The leaves of this variety grow to a con- 

 siderable height, and proceed from the whole crown of the 

 root. The Lisbonaise does not extend to so great a depth 

 as the Coquaine ; but the root is equally good in quality, 

 and what is lost in length is gained in thickness. The 

 leaves are small and short, and only proceed from the cen- 

 tre of the crown. The Siam has a root of a yellowish col- 

 our, not very large, but tender, and more rich in taste than 

 the other varieties." 



Soil, — The soil should be light, deep, and free from 

 stones. It should be dug or trenched before sowing, one 

 good spade deep, at least, (some writers say two spades 

 deep,) being careful to pulverize the soil thoroughly, that 

 the roots may have no obstruction to prevent their run- 

 ning down long and straight. If the soil be proper for 

 them, it is said they will not require much manure ; and 

 w^hat is used should be perfectly decomposed, or, if recent, 

 be deposited at the bottom of the trench. They do not 

 impoverish the soil, but, like onions, may be raised many 

 years in the same spot. 



Seed estimate^ and sowing,— Sow as early as the ground is 

 thawed, if not too wet. Deane observed, that " some 

 sow them in the fall ; but that is not a good practice, be- 

 cause the ground will grow too close and stiff for want of 

 stirring in the spring ; v/hich cannot well be performed in 

 gardens, without danger of injuring the roots. And weeds 

 will be more apt to abound among them if they be sown 

 in autumn." Loudon says, " For abed five feet by twenty, _ 

 the plants to remain thinned to eight inches' distance, half an 

 ounce of seed is the usual proportion." Deane recommends 

 sowing them in rows across beds, fifteen inches apart^ 



