To speak brieflv on the subject, the domestic gardener •will understand that all plants derive the 
elements of theu- growth from two soui-ees — the eai'th in which they grow, and the air ; that the 
ingredients dei-ived from the soil are principally inorganic substances, contained in the soil itself, as 
the Tarious salts, earths and minerals, each of which are necessary for the plant's growth, and 
which are absorbed in a soluble form, either in a free or combined state, by the spongelets or extreme 
points of the roots. These fonn, however, only a small portion of the plant's bulk — the larger ^Jortiou, 
consisting of carbon, being derived fr-om the air, by a principle of action which all plants possess in a 
greater or less degree, whereby they assimilate the carbon fi'om the cai'bonic acid constantly found in 
the atmosphere by the aid of solai" light ; and by these combined operations plants are enabled by theii' 
" vital force" to procm'e for themselves all the necessary elements of their growth, pro'S'ided the plant 
is placed in a soil where it can obtain the requisite amount of food on the one hand, and is exposed to 
light and air on the other. 
OX GROWING PARSLEY FOR THE WINTER. 
By Mr. P. F. KEIE. 
OTIHE preser^-ation of Parsley in a fresh and green state during the winter season, is fi-equently attended 
Ix with much difficulty where the convenience of frames is not available for this puipose. In the more 
northerly counties, indeed. Parsley is only to be procured at much expense dm-ing nearly six months 
out of the twelve. The leaves of this useful vegetable, when grown in the open gi'ouud, are generally 
destroyed by fi-ost ; but if the cii-cimistances attending then- destruction are fully considered, it will be 
foimd that the stems are most rapidly affected where the soil is stiff and moist, and where the situation 
is exposed to cold cutting winds. The x^lant, however, does not appear to be so delicately constituted 
but that it may be had with comparative ease all the year, if the ordinary conditions of growing the 
less hardy plants dui'ing the winter ai'c observed. Some varieties are, perhaps, more susceptible of 
cold than others. The finest sample I ever saw, was grown on the west coast of Scotland by a vUlage 
schoolmaster. It was of a beautiful green colour', and of a remarkably vigorous habit ; but growing 
in a low situation, and exposed to cutting sea-gales, the leaves always died down during winter. 
In ordinaiy situations. Parsley may be grown successfully on a border havnig a south aspect, and 
protected fi-om the north by a waU. The soil should be light and rich. A quantity of stones and brick 
rubbish should be laid at the bottom to the depth of seven or eight inches, so that the bed may be 
raised considerably above the general level of the ground, and thus ensured against excessive moistui'e. 
The sui-face of the soil being properly raked, seed of the most curled vai'iety that can be obtained 
should be so-svn vei-y thinly, either in shallow drills or broadcast, and slightly covered with fine soil. 
This operation should be begun in May or early in June, and if the weather continue dry, ft-equent 
waterings wUl be necessary. The young plants wiU have sjirung up in six or seven weeks, and when 
large enough, they must be thinned out to foru' or five inches apart. They -^tII have become large and 
vigorous by the end of the autumn, when a number of stakes should be driven into the ground along 
each side of the bed. These stakes should be of a thiclaiess to permit of their being bent across and tied 
together so as to form a series of ai-ches, and sb'ong enough to sujjport a covering of mats, which 
should be laid over them as soon as the weather becomes frosty and wet. Dm-ing intense frost, especi- 
ally at night, it may be necessary to increase this protection by doubling the mats ; but these should be 
removed entii-ely while the weather is mild. The soil should be kept as dry as may be, and all decay- 
ing matter carefully removed fr-om the plants. A bed four feet and a half -wide, by ten feet long, -svill 
contain as many plants as may be sufficient for an ordinaiy supply during the -ninter. 
Pai-sley might also be grown on a sort of rock-work with great certainty and convenience ; for on 
such a structure the roots and stems coidd be kept in that di-y state which is so indispensable to their 
health, and freshness in dull cold weather. For growing it in this way, it is recommended to 
sow a quantity of seed, early in May, in a bed of light rich soil on a south border. "RTien the 
young plants are a little above the ground, they should be thinned out to six or eight inches apart, 
kept clear of weeds, and watered as occasion requires. At the end of August, or early in September, 
collect a few barrow-loads of moderately large stones, selecting such as are best suited for forming a 
rook-work. They should be longer than broad, somewhat flat or even at the sides, so that they may 
lie firmly in their places when built up. Any kind of stones which the district may afford -svill do, 
but those of a sandy or porous composition, should be preferred when a choice is offered. Bricks may 
also be used, but they are, perhaps, too flat, and do not present those holes and crevices which are 
desirable in the formation of rock- work, and which may generally be secured by the use of stones. The 
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