FORCING Io! 
where enough ground is available, three by one and 
one-half or two feet would be still better. By pur- 
chasing one-year-old plants a year’s time may be 
gained, but otherwise there are decided advantages in 
raising one’s own plants. During the following two 
seasons the ground has to be kept in the best possible 
tilth, and at the end of the third season from seed the 
roots may be dug just before the ground is likely to 
freeze. In lifting the roots it is important not to ex- 
pose them to the drying influence of the sun and air 
more than is unavoidable. It is also important to pre- 
serve the entire clump intact with as much soil adher- 
ing to the roots and crown as possible. They are 
then placed in a shed, pit, or cool cellar, and covered 
with sand or soil to prevent their drying out. Mod- 
erate freezing does not injure the roots, and some 
growers think that it even adds to their forcing value. 
FORCING IN THE GREENHOUSE 
With florists the forcing of asparagus has this im- 
portant advantage: that the income obtained from it is 
nearly all gain, as the space under the benches, which 
may thus be utilized, is of but little use for other pur- 
poses. If the floor under the benches is soil this is 
dug out so as to form a pit about a foot deep, or at 
least a few inches deeper than the clumps are high. 
Three or four inches of good rich soil is scattered over 
the bottom, and upon this the clumps are placed close 
together. Dry, mellow soil is then scattered between 
and over the clumps, so that the crowns are ccvered 
one or two inches, and given a thorough watering. Ii 
blanched shoots are desired, the crowns will have to be 
