612 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



not for several drawbacks it would be cultivated much more extensively. 

 The crop yields no return under four years from the seed, and even then 

 should be very sparingly cut few a year or two. It requires heavy manur- 

 ing to prepare a good planting, and, as it lasts without renewal twenty 

 or more years, its cultivation should be carefully undertaken. The 

 plants being more costly, as generally procured, the preparation is 

 more expensive than that of any other crop. It comes in so early iu 

 the spring that previous to maturity the field requires no cultivation 

 for the purpose of subduing weeds, the consequence being that during 

 the busiest season of gathering other crops for market this one is 

 neglected, unless, as done by large growers, a special manager is ap- 

 pointed to look after it. I have known more than one farmer have to 

 plow up his asparagus in consequence of this culpable neglect. To 

 save the expense of plants, therefore, for economic as well as for obvious 

 horticultural reasons, the Southern planter should himself raise all he 

 needs from the seed. The usual price of seed is about 50 cents per 

 pound, and as there are about 14,000 seeds in each pound, he should be 

 able at least to secure 10,500 fresher, sounder, and better plants for 3 

 acres than he can procure from a distance for about $21 at the usual 

 lowest rate of Northern nurseries of from $4 to $8 per 1,000. 



Asparagus being a disecious plant (bearing pistillate and staminato 

 flowers on separate roots) it is doubtful whether it has the numerous 

 varieties offered by the seed trade. Certain it is, however, under what- 

 ever name the seeds may be advertised, if properly manured, planted, 

 and subsequently cultivated and cared for, the income from the crop 

 will be alike satisfe-ctory to the grower. 



The roots of asparagus cannot be injured in the ground by cold, and 

 as the seed germinates at a low temperature, they may be sown from 

 December 1 to March, in drills 1^ to 2 feet apart, and — if superior plants 

 are desired — so thinly that they may stand about 3 inches apart in the 

 rows. At this distance one-fourth acre of seed-beds will supply plants 

 enough for from 5 to 7 acres. Fair plants, however, may bo grown on 

 the same area, standing nearer, for 12 acres. 



One of the chief claims of asparagus to popular favor is its earliness. 

 It should, therefore, be planted on deej), dry, warm soil to have it early, 

 and because such a one suits its growth best. When located near its 

 natural habitat, the sea-coast, it grows most satisfactorily. The more 

 manure and the more careful the cultivation the better the '' grass," as 

 the shoots are designated in market. The rows in field culture should 

 be 5 feet apart, the plants standing at least 2^ feet apart, requiring 

 3,484 plants per acre. 



The deeper the plants can bo placed, due regard being had to the 

 requisite of early growth, the less risk will there be of the crowns being 

 injured by the knives in the hands of careless cutters, 4 to 6 inches being 

 the usual depth. If the crop has been properly planted, and is as fre- 

 quently cultivated and hoed as required to subdue grass and weeds, the 

 luxuriant growth will meet across the rows and shade the ground the third 

 season. Asparagus produces seed the second year. As soon as the stalks 

 commence to die in the fall they should be cut down and burnt to pre- 

 A'cut, as far as possible, the growth of volunteer seedlings. 



As a special fertilizer salt may be annually used as a top-dressing in 

 ' sufficient quantity partially to prevent the growth of weeds, say, 800 

 l)ounds to the acre. 



Only the tender part of the shoots made green by exposure to light is 

 eaten, yet fashion and the trade demand that a part be white and tough. 



