13 



Abo\it six Centuries after the foundation of Rome, or 150 years 

 B. C. lived Cato. From his writings we learn that it was consi- 

 dered a Garden should have a southern aspect, and be well 

 supplied with Water. Palladius makes a similar statement, a 

 Garden, says this author, should be a level, gently sloping piece 

 of ground, divided by a small current of Water.* Turnips, 

 Coleworts, Radishes, Basil, Beans, ^Cabbages, Garlic, and As- 

 paragus are mentioned by Cato. Endive, Parsley, Cucumbers, 

 Lettuces, Beets, Peas, Kidney Beans, Carrots, Parsnips, Mallows, 

 Onions, Mustard, Fennell and Mushrooms are mentioned by 

 the later Writers, Columella, Varro, Pliny, Virgil, and 

 Martial. 



Asparagus is one of the very few plants, of which we have 

 the full detail of the mode of culture pursued by the Romans ; 

 and if we are justified in considering it a fair standard by 

 which we may estimate their proficiency in the art, we cannot 

 but conclude that it was decidedly excellent. The directions 

 which are given by Cato, are an Epitome of those which occur 

 in Abercrombie, Miller or any other standard work on Horti- 

 culture : they are as follows, ** You must well work a spot, 

 says Cato, that is moist, or which has richness and depth of 

 soil. Make the beds so that you may be able to clean and 

 weed them on each side ; let there be a distance of half a foot 

 between the plants. Set in the seed, two or three in a place, 

 in a strait line ; cover with mould ; then scatter some com- 

 post over the beds. At the Vernal Equinox, when the plants 

 come up, weed often, and take care that the Asparagus is not 

 plucked up with the weeds. The year you plant them, cover 

 them with straw during tte Winter, that they may not be killed. 

 In the beginning of the sriing after, dress and weed them.— 

 The third year after you have sown them burn the haulm in 

 the beginning of the Spring, Do not weed them before the 

 Plants come up, that you may not hurt the stools. The third 



* Dc Re Ru-tica, b. i. 33. 



