CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
407 
intervals during the summer. For the fall crop in the 
North, June is the proper time to sow. The rows should 
be about 14 inches apart and the plants 6 to 10 inches 
apart in the row. The leaves may be used as soon as 
they are large enough, and gathered during the entire 
season. Parsley will thrive in any moist, fertile soil. 
Nitrate of soda is especially valuable in securing rapid, 
tender growth. The leaves are tied together in small 
bunches for marketing. By protecting the plants in cold 
frames a supply throughout the winter is insured. 
PARSNIP (Pastmaca sativa) 
552. Culture. — The parsnip is an important root crop, 
belonging to the family of Umbelliferae. It is closely re- 
lated to parsley, carrot and celery. The roots are boiled, 
fried and used in soups and stews. They are also popu- 
lar for stock feeding. 
Deep, fertile, sandy loams grow the finest roots. Clay 
soils have a tendency to produce crooked and branching 
roots, which are not wanted by the market. Under the 
most favorable conditions the roots will attain a length 
of one foot and will be straight and smooth. 
Guernsey (Student and Improved Half- Long) is 
planted most extensively. Hollow Crown, which is 
known by several other names, is also valued. Early 
Short Round is a small, very early variety, the roots of 
which are sometimes bunched with potherbs. 
A full season is required to grow a good crop of pars- 
nips. The seed, which germinates very slowly, should 
be sown as early as possible in the spring. A few radish 
seeds are sometimes sown with the parsnips. They 
germinate quickly, and the young plants mark the rows, 
so that cultivation may be begun before the parsnips 
are up. This method is especially desirable in S0U5 
which have a tendency to bake. 
