58 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



that when the newly- potted plant is watered, the water will diffuse 

 itself equally through every part. Avoid deep potting. The neck 

 of the plant should be kept about level with the rim of the pot. 



See that the pots are thoroughly clean before using, and take 

 care that each pot is well drained, the strawberry being very iin- 

 patieut of wet, aud liable to get out of health if imperfectly drained. 

 The following is a good method: — Lay first over the hole of the pot 

 one crock, or potsherd, or shell large enough to cover it, and 

 with the hollow side down; around this place others of smaller 

 dimensions in the same position, but with one edge resting upon the 

 first crock, thus securing a considerable openness in the drainage, and 

 making it difficult for it to get choked up. Next place a handful 

 of still smaller crocks, and over the whole a layer of turf, torn to 

 pieces by the hand, not cut by a spade, and also a dusting of soot. 

 The turf is to prevent the soil mixing with the drainage, and it also 

 affords food for the plants. The soot is used to check the ingress of 

 worms, and it also acts as a manure, though not lasting. Pot 

 firmly, particularly at the last shift. It is partly an object to get as 

 much nourishment in as small a compass as possible, but firm potting 

 can be overdone. 



In dry warm weather the plants should be syringed every night 

 and morning, excepting when in bloom and when the fruit is 

 ripening. In the early period the plants will require occasional 

 watering, while in the sunny and long days a good soaking of water 

 is required every day. It is a rule, never to let a leaf flag, nor have 

 the soil saturated. 



Clear liquid manure should be given twice a week, from the 

 time the fruit is set till it begins to change colour. This manure is 

 usually made from soot and sheep-dung ; but that from the horse, 

 cow, or pigeon, or guano, either mixed or separate, will do as well. 

 In all cases the liquid manure must be used so weak as just to 

 colour the water. Rain or soft water should always be used, and 

 should be of the same temperature as the frame. 



ASPARAGUS. 



IIRIGTNALLY an indigenous weed of our sea-shores, this 

 by cultivation has become one of the most delicate and 

 most esteemed vegetables we possess ; and notwithstand- 

 ing the list of names used by some growers, there is but 

 one kind, and the only variations in it are merely those 

 arising from situation. 



The plants are obtained from seed, which should be gathered 

 when the haulm is cut down in autumn, and preserved till the 

 following March, when it should be sown in drills on apiece of light 

 sandy soil, at about a foot and a half from each other. At the end of 

 the following summer the plants may be thinned out of the rows 

 till they stand six inches apart, and thus may remain till they are 

 wanted for the beds. Three-year-old plants are perhaps the best for 



