STATE IIORTTCULTIIRAL SOCIETY. 95 



and changing to light green, as the season advances. It w:xs quite amus- 

 ing to notice some of our leading seedsmen declaring but one variety, and 

 fighting the first introduction of Connover's Colossal, and then suddenly 

 changing front and having great quantities of the seeds of the " Great 

 Connover's Colossal " for sale. Having tried both Connover's and Van 

 Sicklen's in close proximity to the old variety, I have come to the con- 

 clusion that any of them planted three or four feet ai)art both ways, as 

 they recommend for the Connover's, and manured heavily, will grow 

 mammoth stalks — one kind as large as the other — and either of them 

 grown carelessly will })roduce small stalks ; and 1 still doubt there being 

 any difference, except in cultivation. Asparagus may be planted either 

 in spring or fall. It should not be cut until the second year, and then 

 lightly. Salt sjjrinkled thicklyalongthe rows keeps down the weeds, and im- 

 ])roves the yield. I prefer ])utting in manure as a mulch, at the close of 

 the cutting season ; it keejjs down the weeds, and is washed down by the 

 rains of summer. My objection to fiill or winter manuring is that it 

 retains the frost in spring, making it late starting. In cutting asparagus, 

 cut it entirely above the surface, unless you want such stuff as we often 

 see on the market — white, hard, tough, and tasteless. Why any one, 

 who knows enough to grow asparagus, should cut it below the surface I 

 never could divine. Next comes 



Beets. — These being among the most hardy, can be ]>lanted as soon 

 as the frost is out and ground in good condition. Plant in drills, fifteen 

 to eighteen inches apart ; sow thicker than you want them to grow, and thin 

 out to four inches when large enough to use for grepns. 



Until the introduction of the Egyptian, the Early Bassano was the 

 best early ; but the Egyptian is so much earlier, so very dark in color, 

 and smooth of surface, with such a small tap rcjot, that it is the sine-qua-non 

 of early beets, but it is fit for nothing else ; therefore we can not abandon 

 the Early Ba.ssano. As a succession after the Early Bassano, 1 find 

 " Bastian's New Blood Turnip" unsurpassed — so smooth, so round, so 

 large and good; and this, with " Bastian's Half Long " for winter, com- 

 ])letes the list. This brings us to 



Beans. — Of bush or snap beans, the Early Fejee is probably the 

 hardiest we have ; Early Mohawk is good \ Black Wax is better, but Ger- 

 man White Wax the best. Although very poor land will grow beans, 

 rich, mellow ground will grow them much quicker and better. Pole 

 beans actually reipiire rich, light, warm soil. Having tried many kinds, 

 I have discarded all but large and small while and spotted Lima. With 

 a crowbar to make holes eighteen inches deep, set your poles in rows five 

 feet aparti the poles three feet apart in the row ; plant upon the surface at 

 each pole, three beans, covering one inch and a half deep ; hoe often and 

 cultivate thoroughly. 



Cabbage. — For the last six years I have not grown the Early York. 

 The Jersey Wakefield superseded it ; and for three years I have grown 

 the Early Wyman in preference to either for earliest; Early Winning- 

 stadt for next, and "Fotler's Improved Drumhead" for further sue- 



