The Family Kitchen Gardener (1856)/Parsley
PARSLEY.
A’pium Petroselinum.—Persil, Fr.—Petersilie, Ger.
The Garden Parsley is a biennial plant, a native of Sardinia, and is a very useful and pleasant vegetable; esteemed for many qualities besides that of garnishing. Its seasoning flavor, for soups and stews, is very agreeable to many. It also counteracts the smell of the breath after eating Onions. It may be preserved for seasoning, by drying it till crisp, in Summer; then rub it up fine between the hands, and put it away in a bottle for Winter use.
Culture.—The Curled variety only should be cultivated. It is more beautiful as a garnish than the plain, and requires very little more attention to keep it pure. Seed growers are not generally particular enough with this simple article; they ought, before the plants go to seed, to pull up all those that offer to be plain, reserving only those that are beautifully curled. Sow it in drills half an inch deep, early in April. These drills may form an edging round any compartments of vegetables, or along the walks. It will remain from four to six weeks before it vegetates, and, what is rather remarkable, seed four years old will vegetate sooner than seed of the preceding year. As soon as the plants get three or four inches high, thin them to six inches apart; cut down about a third part at a time, by which means a young stock will be kept constantly for use. Should any of the plain-leaved appear, root it out. An ounce of seed will suffice for any family.
To have fresh, green Parsley, at all seasons, should be the aim and ambition of every gardener, and it is rather a matter of surprise that our markets and tables are not more liberally supplied with this valuable Winter garniture. Keep it only from severe frost, and it will grow the whole Winter. For this object, select a warm spot of ground, light and rich, four feet by six; sow it early in the season; treat the plants as directed above; cut them all over in September, surround the bed early in November with boards, and cover with mats or shutters; if glass can be obtained, so much the better. By this process a sufficient supply in the severest weather will be always obtainable. If a frame and sash are out of reach, procure some branches of Spruce, Pine, or Cedar, and cover the bed during December, January, and February. It will grow tolerably well under such protection.