The Cultivation of Vegetables 
79 
THE PARSNIP 
Like the Carrot the Parsnip has a long taproot which 
is used as a vegetable. It is a stronger-growing plant than 
the Carrot, and, as the root goes deeper into the ground, 
it is essential to have a deep and well-cultivated soil for 
its growth. It ought to be cultivated 3 or 4 ft. deep, in 
ground that is not too rich, or the roots will either be 
divided and useless, or coarse in quality. 
Being hardier, and requiring a longer season for its 
growth, it should be sown as early as possible, when the 
ground is in a suitable condition at the beginning of 
March. Sow in lines 18 in. apart and 1-^ in. deep, the 
seed being covered over with soil pressed down with the 
feet. When the plants are about 2 in. high, they should 
be thinned out to 10 or 12 in. apart, after which the hoe 
should be kept going between the rows. For exhibition 
Parsnips similar methods should be employed. As in the 
case of Carrots, a crowbar should be used, and the holes 
made from to 3 ft. deep, and from 12 to 15 in. apart, 
after which they should be filled up with prepared soil, 
thus giving a free material into which the slender roots 
can easily penetrate during the early stages of their growth. 
In filling the holes, care must be taken that only small 
quantities of soil are put in at first, or an empty space may 
be formed in the prepared place, which will have the effect 
of either stopping growth in length, or will cause the root 
to grow sideways and thus spoil its appearance. 
During October or November the roots may be dug 
up carefully, the leaves cut off, and then stored in sand 
or ordinary garden soil, as advised for Carrots. To build 
