208 TRANSACTIONS OE THE ALTON-SOUTHERN 



family use, during the summer months. First, a small enclosure- 

 is necessary, for otherwise domestic fowls will destroy all early 

 plants. This enclosure need not be large, as later in the season,, 

 with plenty of other things in sight, the damage is small. The 

 fence must be as open to the sun as possible, and still keep out a 

 hen. I have often been surprised to note the difference in 

 growth of plants, early in the season, made by the shadow of a 

 very light fence. There is an alternative to this, and that is to 

 fence in the fowls, but they don't like it as well as to roam 

 "fancy free." The soil must be rich ; give it plenty of manure 

 • — old and well rotted if possible. Peas, seedling onions, beets 

 and salsify, should go into the ground as early as possible. You 

 need not wait for the ground to be warm and dry. I generally 

 plant in the first half of March. I do not believe it will pay you 

 to make a hot bed. It is cheaper to buy cabbage and tomato 

 plants than to raise a few. The same will be true of sweet 

 potato plants. If you have not already an asparagus bed, pre- 

 pare for one as soon as the ground will work easily; buy young- 

 plants; do not take old ones, as a gift. Give them plenty of" 

 room. Radishes and lettuce may be planted with the first things. 

 I would plant Landreth's Extra Early pea first, and follow it 

 with American Wonder one week later, a double row, one foot 

 apart, planted thick, and about one inch deep, will do. For an 

 ordinary family, I would plant my rows about five rods long. 

 Two plantings of American Wonder, and then one of Eugenie or 

 McLean's Advance. Next month will try and go farther along. 



Mr. Browne — I think that, as a rule, asparagus should be 

 planted about four by three feet. 



Mr. Riehl — My vineyard is planted eight by twelve feet, and 

 there is a hill of asparagus between every two grape vines, and I 

 believe the roots of the asparagus cover all the ground. By using 

 plenty of manure, they may be planted closer, but if not manured 

 they must have plenty of room. 



Mr. Pearson — I have found that heavy mulching makes the as- 

 paragus come later ; hence if your bed is large enough I would ad- 

 vise mulching every year. Cover one half this year and the other 

 next so that you can get them early and late. Eugenia is a me- 

 dium late pea of the finest quality, but is not a sure crop. Peas 

 should always be picked before they are fully grown. If a pea 

 cooks yellow it is no longer fit to eat. This is the sole cause of 

 the great superiority of French over American canned peas. 



Capt. E. Hollister — I think the Cow Pea ought to be more 

 generally planted than it is. It is unsurpassed as stock feed and 



