448 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 July, 191 i. 



plants have greater vigour and vitality. The plants should be planted 

 in rows, 3 feet apart, with about 18 inches between each plant. In large 

 areas, the plan ot planting in double rows is often adopted, the rows being 

 alternately 2 feet and 3 feet apart. This allows for a furrow or a trench 

 to be run between each double row in the winter, to provide for good sur- 

 face drainage. The trench is dug deeply, and at a lower level than the 

 crowns, so that there shall be no possibility of surface water settling 

 about the roots in the cold weather. The plants should be placed at least 

 6 inches below the surface. For planting, a furrow or trench may be 

 run along the length of the bed, and the crowns placed in this. The roots 

 should be directed downwards, so that it will be well to have a slight crown 

 in the centre of the f urrow j they may then be covered with soil, and well 

 trodden, care being taken to tread at the sides, and not on the crowns. 

 A top dressing of manure will complete the work of planting. Some- 

 times, where the soil is not particularly rich, it w'ill be advisable to give 

 a light sprinkling of bonedust or sulphate of potash in the trenches before 

 planting. 



If it be desired to grow seedlings, the seed should be planted in a 

 well drained bed of rich soil, in rows about 2 feet apart. The seed 

 should be sown very sparsely, subsequently thinning the plants out to 8 

 or 9 inches apart. Thorough cultivation should be observed throughout 

 the year; no weeds should be allowed in the seed bed. Frequent w^aterings 

 with liquid manure, especially in dry weather, will make the results 

 successful. 



" Conover's Colossal" is the largest asparagus grown; while 

 " Palmetto" is also a good variety, rather earlier than the former; 

 Argenteuil Purple is another good variety, and very tender. 



Cultivation and Management. 



From springtime to autumn, the beds will require to be continually 

 hoed and cultivated. No weeds should be allowed in the beds; and if 

 these are frequently hoed, no trouble will be experienced from foreign 

 growths. Soil crusts and sodden surfaces must be avoided ; and in autumn, 

 and again in spring, the beds may be forked or dug over. If trenches are 

 cut between the rows, the soil may be thrown up on top of the crow^ns. 



During the first year, the plants should be allowed to grow without 

 any cuttings being made. If good sturdy growth has been made, the beds 

 may be sparingly cut over during the second year, and then only for four 

 or five weeks. Cutting causes weakness of growth ; and, until the plants 

 are sturdily established, they should not be weakened by forcing them 

 to make unnatural growths. Subsequently, the beds may be regularly cut 

 over, terminating the third year's cutting time with the end of November, 

 and all subsequent cuttings early in December ; with later varieties and in 

 cooler districts the season will be extended. In matured beds, the cuttings 

 should always be " clean." That is, every growth, whether sturdy enough 

 for culinary purposes or not, should be cut out. The stalks that are too 

 small or poor for eating may be thrown away. From December, all 

 growths should be allowed to continue until autumn, when the beds mav 

 be cleaned out, completely cutting down all the old growths level with 

 the ground, and top dressing with stable manure. The tops nre cut as 

 soon as the seeds are ripened These then appear of a bright scarlet 

 colour. The seeds must not droo to the ground, as they will r^erminate 

 and grow, and the seedlings will become some of the worst weeds in th*; 

 beds. 



