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FERTILIZERS AND FERTILIZING 
A SPARAGUS is a gross feeder. ‘There is hardly 
a another plant in cultivation upon the vitality 
of which so great a demand is made. The 
cutting oi all itssprouts, or shoots, as soon as 
they appear above the ground, for several weeks, is 
an abnormal and enorimots tax upon the plant, which 
is thus forced to extra exertion in order to reproduce 
itself and perpetuate its kind. “‘“herefore, it should 
have the most tender care, and an abundance of nour- 
ishing and readily available food. ‘The earliness, ten- 
derness, size, and commercial value of the product 
depends principally on the rapidity of its growth, and, 
as this is materially promoted by the richness of the 
soil, it is evident that the plants should receive all the 
food they can assimilate during the growing season. 
There is a wide difference of opinion among grow- 
ers as to which is the best kind of manure to use. 
Whatever the individual preferences may be, there is 
this satisfaction to know that no kind of plant food 
can come amiss on the asparagus bed, although the 
use of some kinds and combinations may be more 
economical than others. Formerly animal manures 
only were thought to be of any use for asparagus, and 
there are still some growers who cling to this opinion. 
In recent years, however, there has been a decided 
reaction in this regard in some of the principal aspar- 
