4^o Journal of Agriculiure , Victoria. [lo July, 191 i. 



allowed to grow in December. Seaweed is a valuable mulch for 

 asparagus ; and, if available, should l)e applied. Tn addition to these, 

 occasional sprinklings of chemical fertilizers may be given in spring and 

 summer. As frequent cuttings for some time, of every growth produced by 

 the plant, is a heavy tax on its vigour and abilities, it should be well 

 nourished with readily available food, so that it may continue to produce 

 good growths ; thus, frequent feedings during the growth period will always 

 be helpful. The plants cannot continue to bear good payable crops, and 

 at the same time be compelled to continue in growth and existence without 

 special help and assistance. 



The mo'3t perfect chemical fertilizer for asparagus is a mixture of 2| 

 cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, 2 cwt. sulphate of potash, and from 4 to 5 

 cwt. of bonedust per acre. Blood manure, nitrate of soda, kainit, and 

 muriate of potash are all useful for top dressing. Owing to asparagus 

 growing on the .seashore in its native habitat, it was supposed that the 

 plants required frequent dressings of salt to enable it to grow successfully. 

 It has been found, how'ever, that such is not the case. Further, on 

 analysis, it has been shown that of all ingredients in the composition of this 

 plant, salt is in the lowest percentage. Saft will kill the weeds without 

 injuring the asparagus ; and has an indirect effect in reducing, to an avail- 

 able condition, certain plant foods that already exist in the soil. If the 

 grower wishes at any time to use salt on his beds, it will be better to 

 apply kainit. which contains salt in combination with potash. 



Cutting. 



With the advent of the warm spring Aveather, the asparagus stems begin 

 to come through the surface, and they are ready for cutting. They should 

 be cut before the scales on the heads have opened out, the knife being 

 inserted into the ground, cutting the stems below the surface, and carefully 

 avoiding any other stems that are growing out from the same crown. 



There are various asparagus knives in use, but all are made on a similar 

 principle, having the cutting edge at the end, instead of at the side, the 

 end being either at right angles to the side, angular, or curved. A recently 

 invented asparagus knife has its cutting end shaped like a V, both inside 

 edges being sharpened. 



Pests and Diseases. 



In this State, the asparagus plant is singularly free from these troubles. 

 In America, considerable injury is done by the Asparagus Beetle, which 

 is a pretty, red, lemon, and dark-blue coloured beetle. The beetle causes 

 damage by the larvae l)urrowing into and eating the young a.sparagus 

 stems. 



Asparagus rust frequently causes considerable damage by attacking the 

 growing stems, and thus weakening the whole plant and interfering with its 

 growth. It is always a safe plan to burn the tops of the plants when they 

 are cut down in autumn ; this will destroy effectually both fungus spores 

 and insects that may be lurking therein. In California, great havoc and 

 considerable loss resulted from continued attacks of the asparagus rust. 

 There, both sulphur and Bordeaux mixture have been used with good 

 effects. It has been also found that some varieties are more resistant to 

 rust than others. The "Palmetto" variety stands out prominently as 

 being an excellent rust resistant ; while the French variety '"' Argenteuil " 

 is considered equally rust proof. 



