I873-] ASPARAGUS FORCING. 161 



leaves accumulated in autunin, in cold frames : these will come in on 

 about three weeks from starting. 



This plan of forcing, however, involves a considerable amount of 

 labour, and space to grow on succession of beds, as at least the same 

 space must be annually planted as is laid vacant by lifting ; and as 

 Asparagus is not fit to force until the fourth year, a large breadth of 

 ground must be occupied, which is a serious consideration with many 

 gardeners. To meet this difficulty, the plan is sometimes adopted of 

 building up the sides of one or a series of beds with brickwork pigeon- 

 holed, to admit of heat from fermenting leaves and litter placed in 

 trenches on either side of the bed, and covering the bed with cold 

 frames also covered to retain the heat. The same principle is also some- 

 times adopted, but substituting hot-water pipes in place of the leaves 

 and litter. This last will occupy the least space, and is perhaps the most 

 satisfactory arrangement where expense is no consideration, but we 

 have never had any experience of the plan. 



We can, however, confidently recommend a plan the same in 

 principle to the above, but much more simple in working, and which 

 does not so soon exhaust the Asparagus as the hot-water way. It should 

 be carried out in the following manner. 



Let the Asparagus be planted with the usual preparation in 4-feet 

 beds of any convenient length, but better if they are not very long, 

 say 30 feet or so, with easy access to each end. After the plants 

 have got strong enough to force, every other bed may be lifted for 

 forcing in pits, the remaining beds to be left for forcing on the ground. 

 To accomplish this dig out all the soil to the depth of 3 feet from the 

 beds which have been lifted, and wheel it upon neighbouring quarters, 

 making the sides perpendicular, which will be easily done, as the soil 

 will be compact and full of roots. There will thus be a bed of Asparagus 

 alternating with a deep trench some 5 feet wide. In the autumn, when 

 forcing commences, leaves can be introduced and trodden into the 

 trenches; and at any part where extra heat is wanted, stable-litter 

 should be mixed with the leaves by turning the latter over. 



Two or three 12-feet lengths by 4 feet wide of span-roofed frames, 

 or plant-protectors, are far handier than lean-to frames for covering 

 over the Asparagus; and as one part of the beds is cut and done, the 

 frames can be shifted onwards to fresh pieces of the beds as required, 

 stirring and mixing up the materials in the trench. It is best not 

 to over-cut any part of the bed ; it will easily be seen when the 

 Asparagus begins to show signs of weakness, when cutting should 

 cease. When the frame is removed to another piece of the bed, that 

 forced piece should not be left uncovered, but have part of the litter 

 strewn over it to exclude frost. The fermenting? material should not 



