7 
This isa branching, herbaceous plant, growing toa height of 3 to 7 
feet from perennial rootstocks. The rootstock or “‘crown” makes a new 
growth each year of from 1 to 3 inches, extending horizontally and 
generally in a nearly straight line. It may propagate from both ends 
or from only one, but in either case the older part of the rootstock 
becomes unproductive and finally dies. The upper 
side of the new portion of the rootstock (fig. 1) is fp 
| 
crownedwithbuds for the production of new shoots, 
{ 
while the older portion bears the scars and dead | 
scales of previous growths. From the sides and 
lower surface of the rootstock numerous storage 
roots extend almost horizontally to a distance of 1 
to 3 feet. They are light colored and from one- 
eighth to one-fourth inch in diameter. They often 
form a complete underground network in old beds, 
making it impossible to plow or cultivate deeply. 
These storage roots bear numerous small feeding 
roots, especially on the newest parts of their growth; 
hence they fulfill the office of principal roots, but 
they have in addition the special function of storing 
nourishment for the growth of the following season. 
Although but one species of asparagus is to be 
found in cultivation there are many so-called vari- 
eties. Thus we have Colossal, Barr’s Mammoth, 
Columbian Mammoth White, Donald’s Elmira, 
Palmetto, etc., in our own country, besides the 
numerous ‘‘ varieties” cultivated in France, Aus- 
tria, Germany, England, ete., when in reality there 
are probably but three or four of them all which 
deserve to have special names, being nearly all 
susceptible of classification under the general 
head of ‘*‘Giant,” or ‘‘Mammoth,” indicative of the 
improved size produced by the superior conditions 
of manuring, soil, climate, and cultivation to which 
they have been subjected. 
Brinckmeier and Géschke speak of four cultural 
° ye . SataC . Os Fig. 1.—Asparagus crown 
varieties which have such distinct individual char- — yoots, puds, and spear. 
acteristics, and whose seed reproduce these in the — (Redtawn and reduced; 
2 . - from plate 113 of Thomé’s 
plant, as to entitle them to special notice: The mora yon Deutschland.) 
German Giant—in which the Holland, English, 
and most of the French and American kinds are embraced 
Argenteuil, Conover’s Colossal, and the Yellow Burgundy. 
Through natural and artificial selection, through use of seed from 
strong shoots from superior roots, there has been improvement in the 
size and yield of asparagus; from the peculiar adaptability of soil and 
climate and the effect of manure and high cultivation there have 





the Early 
