328 THE GARDENER. [July 



It is instructive to note the different effects of a low temperature, 

 such as we had last winter, on the same kinds of liardy shrubs growing 

 under different conditions as regards shade and shelter. In the case 

 of those growing here in sheltered and moderately shaded situations, — 

 in fact, in situations where, to judge from the luxurious appearance of 

 the plants, the conditions were favourable to longevity, — they have suf- 

 fered more from the effects of the frost than those exposed to the full 

 force of the wind. This is no doubt in consequence of the wood of 

 the latter being better ripened, through more exposure to the sun and 

 air, than in the case of those growing in more sheltered and shaded 

 situations. It is pleasant to see that there are some kinds of choice 

 evergreen shrubs that have got through the past winter without suffer- 

 ing any apparent injury from the intense cold that prevailed. Amongst 

 these the different kinds of Retinospora are conspicuous. These plants 

 are not very common in our shrubberies as yet, but as they have got 

 through the late winter almost uninjured, they will in future be planted 

 in numbers in all places where choice evergreen hardy shrubs are ap- 

 preciated. Cupressus Lawsonii and Thuja Lobbii are also uninjured, 

 and both deserve to be planted extensively for their ornamental ap- 

 pearance. J. Hammond. 



ASPARAGUS. 



As surely as the seasons revolve in their annual rotation, we have 

 brought under our notice various observations about how best to grow 

 Asparagus, and whether it really is a plant that sends its roots deeply 

 into the soil. Some say it is a very deep-rooting plant, consequently 

 requiring a deep soil in order to produce the best crops. Having seen 

 very different ways of preparing the soil for this esteemed vegetable, 

 and results equally different, I will not here detail these various methods, 

 but simply make a few remarks founded on my own experience and 

 observation. 



I have seen acres of Asparagus raised from seed sown on a free 

 loamy soil that had been previously well manured with stable-manure. 

 If May and June prove moist, the plants get a good start, and make 

 splendid plants the first season. As to their rooting deeply, I have, 

 on the other hand, observed that three-fourths of the roots run nearly 

 horizontally from the stems, and only about a fourth of them go 

 directly downwards ; and by the end of the first season's growth the 

 horizontal roots were found in whorls from 18 inches to 2 feet long, 

 the majority of the plants having formed several crowns ready to start 

 into growth the following season. 



In preparing the permanent beds, it is not necessary to raise them 

 more than 6 inches above the ordinary level. The depth of artificial 

 soil that it may be found necessary to add depends entirely on the 



