72 
PARSLEY. 
plants, but is especially formidable in its attacks on garden Parsnips. 
“Like other species of Peronospora it causes putrescence in the plants 
it attacks, and sets up decay in the leaves, stem, and roots. ... In the 
Parsnip the large fleshy esculent roots become spotted, and at length 
putrid,” &c.* 
In roots I examined the spotty condition was very marked, also 
the end of the root was often rotted away ; and Mr. Glenny’s note 
connects the disease with Parsnip presence being previously on the 
ground. He says :—“ Brown streaks or marks may be seen on the 
roots, and, as the crop followed Parsnips, which had suffered severely 
from rust or canker , it is probable that the plant, being of a like 
character to its predecessor, may have fallen a victim to some germs 
or spores remaining in the land. The field had been under cultivation 
for Parsnips for some years, that crop coming every third season, and 
the canker had so developed itself recently that Parsley had been sown 
instead.” 
The first examinations having been all with regard to insect injury, 
what now appears the probable cause was not made out in time for 
determination this season ; but, waiting complete information, it may 
be observed that in either of the above cases it would be desirable not 
to let Parsley follow Parsnips ; likewise, that infested plants of either 
kind should be burnt to destroy the enemy, whether it should turn out 
to be “rust” maggot, or, as is much more likely, Peronospora, propa¬ 
gated by spores (equivalent to fungus seeds) in leaf and stem or root. 
Further, a dressing to infested ground, such as would kill the “ spores” 
or maggots, as the case may be, which in either case would be near 
the surface of the ground, would be certain to do good. 
A good dressing of caustic lime or caustic gas-lime, with due care 
as to quantity, would be sure to be serviceable. With regard to gas- 
lime, I have a note of a very good crop of Parsley following its appli¬ 
cation ; and at present in my own garden I have plants of autumn-sown 
Parsley thriving well on a line of ground which was well watered with 
soft-soap and kerosine (see p. 54) a short time before sowing, and 
where gas-lime was afterwards thrown amongst the young plants. 
This attack causes so much inconvenience to Parsley growers that 
further information as to its origin and prevention would be gratefully 
received. 
* See ‘ Diseases of Field and Garden Crops,’ by Worthington G. Smith, p. 239. 
This little volume contains such a large amount of useful information, profusely 
illustrated with figures of microscopic fungi, that I add the publisher’s name— 
Macmillan & Co., London. 
