406 
VEGETABLE GARDENING 
549. Diseases. — Onion smut is the most serious dis- 
ease of the onion. It is likely to become particularly 
troublesome when rotation is not practiced. After the 
land is once infested, this fungus is exceedingly difficult 
to eradicate. The entire plant may be attacked, and the 
spores are readily disseminated by the wind, insects, and 
tillage implements. As the seed may also transmit the 
disease, the method of control most recommended is to 
provide a 2-gallon tank attachment for the seeder by 
which a dilute solution of formalin is dripped on the seed 
before it is covered. This treatment kills the smut spores 
near the seed and allows the plants to get started. 
Downy mildew (Pcronosporci schleideniana), which 
sometimes appears in warm, sultry weather, causes the 
leaves to blight. Timely applications of bordeaux mix- 
ture will control this disease. Other diseases, as pink 
root and neck rot, are of importance in certain sections. 
PARSLEY (Carum petroselinum) 
550. Importance. — This biennial umbellifer, found 
wild in the south of Europe, was introduced into the 
English gardens in 1548. The crop is of limited commer- 
cial importance in the United States. It is unquestion- 
ably our most beautiful vegetable for garnishing, but not 
fully appreciated for this purpose. The leaves, of some 
varieties are finely cut and curled, and are valued for 
salads and flavoring as well as for garnishing. 
551. Culture. — Extra Curled Dwarf and kloss Curled 
are probably the most largely planted. Fern-Leaved 
and Summer Green are also popular. 
As the seeds germinate very slowly, they are often 
sown under glass, and transplanted once before setting 
in the open. The plants are hardy and may be taken to 
the open ground nearly as soon as cabbage. It is also 
customary to sow outdoors early in the spring or at 
