I'AKT VI \TLLA GAKDENING 509 



uot already tln^re. In taking up the roots for forcing no imueces- 

 saiy injury should be done to them, for, though in looking at the 

 masses of root out of which the crowns spring some may tliiuk a 

 i\)ot more or less cannot make much tliflerence, still it is important 

 that they should be kept as jK^rfect and :\s fresh as possible. 



Forcing: on Dungbeds is a very simple and e^vsy matter, 

 and there should not be much viuiation in the result. In the 

 shortest da\-s a little more materiiil should be used, as the roots 

 may want au extra tillip to stoi-t them luul pixxiuce steady con- 

 tinuous growth. The Wds should be a foot wider than the fnvme 

 on all sides, and trom 4 to 5 feet high at b;\ck by 3 to 4 feet high 

 at front acconliug to the se;\sou. As soon its the heat in the frame 

 becomes genial, which, if the beds are made of equ;vl parts mtmure 

 ;md leaves, will be as soon as fermeutatiou sets in, 3 inches of 

 light soil should be put on the Ivd, and on this place the roots as 

 close together iis possible. When the frame is fidl cwer with 4 

 inches light rich comiK>st, and give enough water at SO"' to settle 

 all down. Then put on the lights. Mat up at nights imd on cold 

 days till the heads show through the soil. Ventilate a little to 

 give colom- auil flavour. If white Asjviragus is desired, cover the 

 roots moi-e heavily with soil : if green, only a little soil need be 

 useil. Xew KhIs may be made up as often ;is is uecessjiry. As a 

 rule, if the miuuigement has been right, Asp^u-agus may be cut in 

 about six weeks from the time the roots aiv put in, something 

 depending, of coui-se, up<.ni the weather. As fast as one lot is done 

 with, and the phmts taken out of the fr:ime, the beil may be 

 planted with Potatoes or sown with Kadishes or Carrots ; or it 

 may Iv pidled down and rebuilt with a little fresh materiiU, or a 

 lining may be placet.1 round it and a fresh lot of Aspanigus roots 

 placeil in. There are other ways of forcing Aspiiragus. I have 

 mentioneil this first l^eeause it is simple, easy, and inexj^>ensive 

 where the materi:ils c;m be collecteil on the place, :vs they can in 

 many instances. It involves a grt\it sacrifice of phmts, :uid, if 

 much foiving is done, a gvxxl breadth of land h;v5 to l>e given up 

 for the growth of the r^kUs for foanng. This h;is leil in many 

 places to 



Permanent Beds Knng made, fitted beneath with hot-wi»ter 

 pij^K^s, laid iu briok chambers, or in a KhI of rubble. On this rubble 

 a Ivil of rich soil is placeil, strong Asp;m\gus plants being planteil 

 therein, and when strong enough for forcing, a fiiv is lighieil, and the 

 lights are placetl on. One boiler woidil heat quite a group of Aspara- 

 gus pits, starting them in succession as requireii. The cutting must 

 lie discv.nitinued Ivfort^ the nx^ts are tix> much exhausted, and liqiutl 

 n\anuiv would have to Iv used fitvlv durius: the srrv>winjr season. 



