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SEED GROWING 
HE asparagus plant begins to produce seed when 
two years old. When fully developed the 
stalks are from five to six feet in hight, with 
numerous branches upon which are produced 
a profusion of bright scarlet berries, containing from 
three to six seeds each. It is not advisable, how- 
ever, to harvest seed from plants less than four years 
old. 
To save the seed the stalks are cut close to the 
ground as soon as the berries are ripe, which may be 
known by their changing color, from green to scarlet, 
and softening somewhat. The entire stalks are then 
cut off, tied in bundles, and hung up in a dry place 
safe from the attacks of birds, some kinds of which are 
very fond of this seed. After the berries are fully 
dried they are stripped off by hand, or thrashed upon 
a cloth or floor, and separated from the chaff. They 
are then soaked in water for a day or two to soften the 
skin and pulp of the berries, after which they are 
rubbed between the hands, or mashed with a wooden 
pounder, to break the outer shells. The separation of 
the pulp from the seed is accomplished by washing. 
When placed in water the seeds will settle with the 
pulp and the shells will readily pass away in pouring 
off the water. To clean the seeds thoroughly the 
