I873-] ASPARAGUS FORCING. 159 



has an erect conical style of growth, densely furnished with slender 

 branches, much divided into flat Lycopod-like branchlets, drooping at 

 the points. The leaves, which in shape and arrangement on the stems 

 are very like those of Dolohrata, but much smaller, are light, or 

 yellowish green above, assuming a deeper tint in winter, and slightly 

 glaucous below. 



It is here thoroughly hardy, and seems to be quite at home under 

 similar conditions to the other species. Though only seen in this 

 country in a small state, and as yet comparatively little known, there 

 is much in its appearance to warrant the belief that it will make a 

 grand specimen ornamental shrub, and to recommend its being planted 

 where such is desirable. Hugh Fraser. 



ASPARAGUS FORCIWa AND GROWING. 



This choicest of vegetables, unlike French-beans, Seakale, or Mushrooms, 

 in order to be forced with creditable success, requires a long period of 

 preparation of the plant beforehand, although the mere process of 

 forcing is simple enough. Good presentable Asparagus is not such an 

 easy matter to secure, if we take the immense heads usually imported 

 from France as the standard of perfection, and taking the time — four 

 years of good culture — into consideration before it is fit to force from 

 the time of sowing. There are various ways by which Asparagus may 

 be forced, and there are also various ways of growing it for forcing : 

 whichever mode is adopted, one thing is always essential — namely, a 

 well-drained, deep, rich soil. One of the best quarters of Asparagus 

 we have ever seen was a very old one, perhaps a dozen years at least. 

 The subsoil was a pure yellow sand, the soil about 3 feet deep, the 

 surface quite flat. ^N'othing in the shape of a bed was in the whole 

 quarter, and the seed might have been sown broadcast, so irregular 

 were the plants. This quarter was annually dressed with several 

 inches of rotten hotbed manure, which wasted and got washed into 

 the porous soil with rains. This, with perfect drainage, we believe 

 maintained the vigour of the plantation. It is not advisable to 

 plant Asparagus, however, in this fashion. 



Our favourite plan is to plant in single rows, 3 feet apart and 18 

 inches from plant to plant : it is convenient for cleaning ; gives the 

 roots room to spread, without interlacing or struggling with each other ; 

 and although the plants are planted on the flat, an annual top-dressing 

 with manure over the crowns, and the treading between the rows, 

 causes the rows to assume the form of a ridge, which tends to throw 

 the rain off the crowns, and prevent stagnant water at the most vital 



