According to Lindley, the finest curled kinds will rapidly degenerate and become plain, if left to themselves; while, on the other hand, really excellent sorts may be considerably improved by careful cultivation.
The best curled Parsley is obtained by repeated transplantings. When the seedlings are two inches high, they are set in rows ten inches apart, and six inches apart in the rows. In about four weeks, they should be again transplanted to where they are to remain, in rows eighteen inches apart, and fourteen inches apart in the rows. When thus treated, the plants become remarkably close, of a regular, rosette-like form, and often entirely cover the surface of the ground. When grown for competition or for exhibition, this process of transplanting is thrice and often four times repeated.
Seed.—In autumn, select two or three of the finest curled and most symmetrical plants; allow them to remain unplucked; give a slight protection during winter; and, in the following summer, they will yield abundantly. Much care is requisite in keeping the varieties true. This is especially the case with the curled sorts. The seed-growers, who value their stock and character, select the best and finest curled plants, and allow no others to flower and seed. When the object is to improve a variety, but few seeds are saved from a plant; and, in some cases, but few seeds from a head.
Use.—The leaves of the curled varieties afford one of the most beautiful of garnishes: they are also used for flavoring soups and stews. The seeds are aromatic, and are sometimes used as a substitute for the leaves; though the flavor is much less agreeable.
Varieties.—
Dwarf Curled Parsley.
Curled Parsley. Sutton's Dwarf Curled. Usher's Dwarf Curled.
A fine, dwarfish, curled variety, long cultivated in England. In some gardens, it is grown in such perfection as to resemble a tuft of finely curled, green moss.
It is hardy, and slow in running to seed, but liable to degenerate, as it constantly tends to increase in size and to become less curled.
From the Dwarf Curled Parsley, by judicious cultivation and a careful selection of plants for seed, have originated many excellent sorts of stronger growth, yet retaining its finely curled and beautiful leaves.