CULTUUK OF ASl'AllAGUS. 



BY H. B. 



TIAT there is a greater difference between tlio product of 

 a properly cultivated Asparagus bed and a neglected one, 

 than between any garden vegetable that is vended in our 

 markets, is well known to the accurate obsen'er. We 

 are free to say that the majority of market asparagus in 

 this region, is almost good for nothing. It is tough, not 

 one third being edible ; this is the result of careless or 

 cheap culture, and ought not to be. 



It is my experience that asparagus beds, from seed 

 planted where it is to remain, come as early into bearing 

 as those from transplanted roots. The seed is sown in autumn or early spring, in 

 drills about half an inch deep in heavy soil, and an inch in light soil, the ground 

 being rich and well manured, and at the time of planting not higher than the 

 surrounding ground : raising the surface by top dressing from the walks, and by 

 successions of the best manures, will give it a better chance than transplanting, 

 which proves always a drawback; but in this case the subsoil should be trenched 

 and highly enriched for a depth of nearly two feet before sowing the seed. The 

 next autumn, cover the bed three inches deep with manure. For two years let the 

 plants grow to strengthen the roots, keeping the beds clean, raking off the dead 

 stalks in the fall before manuring, and forking in the manure in the spring; if the 

 soil contains much clay, a top layer of sand will be beneficial for the roots to come 

 through instead of a baked surface. Salt is essential, but it must not be sown over 

 the bed before the seeds have well germinated and begin to be established; then it 

 is essential to perfection and should be liberally employed at least twice a year — in 

 the spring before vegetation commences, and during the summer before a rain. 



The grand rule to be observed is, do not cut too much at any period, but 

 especially when the plants arc young. Weeds, even the dandelion and nettle, if 

 their shoots are removed as they appear, become gradually more feeble until they 

 disappear altogether. The roots are as dependent upon the leaves as they are upon 

 the root, receiving from them the elaborated sap which they form by means of solar 

 light, and convey downwards for future purposes. When therefore, leaves are not 

 allowed to be developed, the root is weakened, and if the process is continued long 

 enough, it will inevitably die. Now there is no difference between the Nettle and 

 Asparagus in the essential arrangements of their physiology. The shoot of the 

 latter is the stem destined to develop foliage, and if cut off, nature makes another 

 effort and produces a duplicate to replace that which is removed. If a bed of 

 Asparagus were left to itself, a few strong stems would be produced, which are 

 multiplied ten-fold by cutting, each succession being weaker than that which 

 preceded it. 

 Every cutting therefore is injurious, but the damage is replaced to some extent 



