24 
Early and Late Argenteuil. Among the ordinary varieties, however, 
there is only a short period between the earliest and the latest. 
In the present condition of market gardening, and because of the 
means of transportation now at the command of most growers, earli- 
ness is not so important a feature as it would be were all cities and 
towns supplied by their own immediate suburbs. It may, however, be 
of some advantage to the grower in the far South to have an extra 
early variety, as these growers are the first in the market, or it might 
pay a ‘‘local” grower to have both early and late, in order to have a 
long cutting season as well as to get early prices, if his market depends 
entirely on local supplies; but as the season for asparagus in more 
northern localities approaches there is no peculiar advantage to be 
gained from an early variety, as the ‘‘ edge is already off 
the market,” and the very early asparagus not only runs 
the risk of a belated frost, but may strike market when 
the supply from the more southern growers is in greatest 
abundance and the price somewhat depressed. 
The forcer of asparagus under glass, etc., has been able 
to supply the demand for high-priced asparagus in our 
large cities, though of course at an expense much greater 
than that which the outdoor grower incurs; so, all things 
considered, it is really the medium early but prolific 
bearer of larger spears which comes nearer to the require- 
ments of even the average Southern grower. Canned 
asparagus, too, is on the market all during the winter 
season, and as the product of the cannery more nearly 
resembles the fresh article than most canned vegetables 
the demand for it is very good. 
There are large areas of asparagus whose growers con- 
tract to deliver all their product to the cannery at a fixed 
price per bunch, and for these growers the early variety 
ric. 3.—Knifefor 22S 20 attractions, unless all growers plant it, as the can- 
cutting aspara- nery only begins operations at a time when experience 
gus. has shown that asparagus may be expected to be had in 
considerable quantities. 
From early in March until July outdoor-grown asparagus is on the 
market, the earliest coming from our Southeastern seacoast and the 
latest from New England and northwestern New York, with the differ- 
ent intermediate localities sending in their quota some time during this 
period. 
Six weeks from date of beginning to cut, or perhaps, if the bed is 
very vigorous, eight weeks therefrom, one should cease cutting and 
permit the succeeding shoots to develop, that the roots may have a 
chance to recuperate for the next season’s crop. Young beds, however, 
are not cut for market until the second spring after having been set 
out, and then only a light harvest should be made, lasting perhaps 



