The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-08-04
TIE PtRSNIP.

hE 4 hNSNtAs
We have before had occasion to refer
10 the growth and use Of this crop, so well
suited 10 northern culture The follow
iug excellent article from the C0ll,t,y-
Col1man, may be read with profit.
As one who has lived twenty years on
farm, searching all the while for rela-
blc information, both from his own expe-
ri,ncc and from that of-othcrS, ought to
he in possession of some "lixcd facts" and
settled opinions; and as duty, propricty,
and fraternity require that we should al
low others the opportunity of bencGting
by onr experience, feel moved to give a
few items of information which | think
very satisfactorily settled by evidence
within my own observation.
Djsjiking long prcfaces, ana trusting
that all your correspondents will diSpence
with them, I commence the brief summa-
ny Of my experience and observations OF
twenty years, by 4 statement in regard
90 the value of parsniPs.
PAGsNipS FOR Hoes One Of the
things which | consider well settled, aud
reliable and useful item of knowledge,
i this that parSnips, either raw or cook
ed, but preferably cooked, with the ad-
alt'on Of apples, potatoes, &c. occasional
~, were At only to prevent the appetite
from being cIoyed by eternal samencss.
constitute the best kind of food whcreon.
40 fJttcn a hog. They are also the best
Lind Of roots for milch COWS. Both hogs
anl cows eat them with ayidity, and to the
mjk and butter they communicate a good,
delicious flavor. | have seen it stated
some years ago that beef made from par,
suips brings the highest price in the Lon
don market. | think, though | may be
deceived by Imagination, that pork made
from feed chiefly composed of parsnips, Is
swe,tar than when made from any thina
else
This is not the only recommendation
that may Justly be bestowed on the pars-
nip. Among It's other good qualities IS
this-that it requires no care or housingI
In the fail, as all other roots do. In all
the middle, northern and western States, |
potatoes, carrots, and turnips must be |
harvested and housed, or buried; and e
ven when all this is done, and with good |
care and Judgment too, portion will fire.
Iucutly bc ruined and lost by frosting.
oyerbeating or decay from other causes.
far-uip~, on the other hand, require no
care in the fall, as they may be left with
"Jt injury in the ground all winter
They may also be planted earlier in the
spring, a. the frost does not injure them,
even at the earliest stage Of their growth.
50 that this root crop iuterleres the least
Of any with employments which crowd u
pom the farmer in the spring and fall
1t continues to grow through the whole |
season, until the ground freezes in winter
1T requires no expenditure to gather or
or store it; it may be taken up Oh sever
al occasions during the winter, and the
roots that stay in the ground all winter,
are not injured, and probably improved,
by the frost. Parsnips seem to be eaten
with more relish than either turnps or
potatoes, and yield, in the raw state
at least, a greater amount Of nutrimcnt.
Another advantage in cultiyating par
suips Is, that on a suitable soil-sand or
loan, rich or well manurel, and deep
pioTed-a large growth may be secured.
tf the rate Of l, 200 bushels have been
gathered from an acre Of ground.
Parsnips may be planted either in
srrng or in the latter part OF summer,
say in August or September. The ground
should be well manuered, mellow. and
deeply plowed, and seed sown in drills h
So as to have plants to thin out, while pre-
serving them at about eight inches apart.
This viii require at about the rate oftwoI
pounds Of seed to the acre. The drill,
should be two feet apart, and the space
between well cultivated and kept clear of
weeds. If sown in the spring, the earlier
the better. A larger growth may be Sc
cured, however by sowing tie seed inI
September. There will be some consid-
cradle growth before the ground freezes
up, and the growth will commence a
gain as soon as the frost leaves the ground ,
IN the spring, which will continue through d
out the whole season, without running to-
eecJ, They will thus have growing
season Of above twelve months whereas,
vnen sown in the spring, they can only
grow eight or nine mcnths.
All the advantages Of this root crop,
have not yet been named. Among them
are tbese-that they seem to be unnjurcd
by wet or dry season, and that no insect
nor bug attacks them at any stage Of their ,
groWth.-O5Scrrcr.
IlFThe great iron railroad bridge a.