PARSLEY, a genus of the digynia order, belonging to the pentandria class of plants.

Species. Of this genus Dr Linnaeus reckons only two species, the petroelimum and graveolens; but Mr Miller Miller mentions the seven following: 1. The petroselinum, or common parsley, which is generally cultivated for common use, and is what the physicians have distinguished by the name of petroselinum, the graveolens or smallage being constantly mentioned under that of Apium. 2. The crispum, or curled parsley, has been generally supposed to be only a variety of the first; but, according to Mr Miller, this is a mistake arising from the seeds of the two sorts being usually mixed in the shops. 3. The latifolium, or large rooted parsley, is cultivated on account of its roots, which are as large as common carrots, as well as very tender and sweet. This kind was known in Holland long before the English gardeners could be prevailed upon to raise it. Mr Miller received the seeds from thence in 1727. 4. The graveolens, or smallage, is by Linnæus joined to the celery; but in this he is greatly mistaken. Mr Miller affirms us that he cultivated this plant for forty years together, to try if it could be brought to the same goodness as celery; but without success. It does not grow so tall as celery, nor will it rise with a straight stem; but sends out many suckers near the root, and, when blanched, retains its strong rank taste, which no culture can alter. 5. The dulce, or upright celery. 6. The rapaceum, or turnip-rooted celery. The last of these was supposed to be a degenerate species from the former; but this is likewise denied by Mr Miller. The leaves of the rapaceum are short when compared with those of the dulce, and spread open horizontally; the roots grow as large as common turnips. The only difference observed from culture was, that on rich ground, and where the plants were carefully cultivated, the roots were much larger than on poorer land; but the leaves and outward appearance of the plant never vary. 7. The lactuicum, the seeds of which were received from the royal garden at Paris, and has since been cultivated in some English gardens, and still shows itself to be specifically distinct, but has no remarkable property.

Culture. The common parsley must be sown early in the spring, as the seeds remain a long time in the ground, the plants seldom appearing in less than six weeks after sowing. It is generally sown in drills by the edges of borders; it being much easier to keep clear from weeds, by following this method, than if the seeds are sown promiscuously on a border. When it is designed for medicinal use, the seeds must be sown thin; and when the plants come up, they should be hoed off single, as is practised for carrots, onions, &c., observing also to cut up the weeds. If this is observed, the roots will become fit for use in July or August, and continue till the spring. As there is danger of having the leaves of the lesser hemlock mixed with parsley, from their near resemblance, it would be proper to cultivate only the curled sort, which will be readily known on account of the peculiar form of its leaves. The best time for sowing this species is in the middle or latter end of February. One bushel of seed will sow an acre of land. The large rooted parsley may be sown about the same time; and in April, when the plants are up, they must be cut out with a hoe, to five or six inches square, and kept constantly free from weeds. In July, the roots will be fit to draw for use; but if they are cut out so as to allow them more room to grow, the roots will grow, in a good soil, to the size of a middling parsnip, by September.—Smallage is a common weed by the sides of ditches and brooks in many parts of England, so that it is seldom cultivated in gardens; but if any person is willing to cultivate it, the seeds should be sown soon after they are ripe, on a moist spot of ground; and when the plants are come up, they may be either transplanted on a moist soil, or hoed out, and left six or eight inches asunder where they are to remain.—The seeds of the two sorts of celery should be sown at two or three different times, the better to continue it for use through the whole season, and prevent its running up to seed. The first sowing should be in the beginning of March, on a gentle hotbed; the second may be a fortnight or three weeks after, which ought to be in an open spot of light earth, where it may enjoy the benefit of the sun; the third time of sowing should be in the end of April or beginning of May, which ought to be in a moist soil; and if exposed to the morning sun only, to much the better, but it should not be under the drip of trees. The seeds which were sown on the hot-bed will come up in about three weeks or a month after sowing, when the plants should be carefully cleared from weeds; and if the season prove dry, they must be carefully watered. In about a month or five weeks after it is up, the plants may be removed to some beds of moist rich earth, in a warm situation, in which they are to be placed at about the distance of three inches from one another. If the season proves cold, they must be covered with mats to screen them from the morning frosts; and, in case of drought, they must be watered till they have taken root.

Medicinal Uses, &c. The roots and seeds of the petroselinum are used in medicine. The root of parsley is one of the five aperient roots, and in this intention is sometimes made an ingredient in apozems and diet-drinks; if liberally used, it is apt to occasion flatulencies; and thus, by distending the viscera, produces a contrary effect to that intended by it: the taste of this root is somewhat sweetish, with a slight degree of warmth and aromatic flavour. The seeds are an ingredient in the electuary of bay-berries. The roots of smallage are also in the number of aperient roots, and have been sometimes prescribed as an ingredient in aperient apozems and diet-drinks, but are at present disregarded. The seeds of the plant are moderately aromatic, and were formerly used as carminatives; in which intention they are, doubtless, capable of doing service, though the other warm seeds, which the shops are furnished with, render these unnecessary; and accordingly the Edinburgh college, which retains the roots, has expunged the seeds.

Besides its medicinal virtues abovementioned, the common parsley is reckoned an effectual cure for the rot in sheep, provided they are fed with it twice a week for two or three hours each time; but hares and rabbits are so fond of this herb, that they will come from a great distance to feed upon it; and in the countries where these animals abound, they will destroy it if not very securely fenced against them; so that whoever has a mind to have plenty of hares in their fields, may draw them from all parts of the country by cultivating parsley.

Apium Anisum dictum. See Pimpinella. Apium Macedonicum. See Bubon.