10 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



ing before planting have been proved to be unnecessary, 

 thus putting asparagus, for home culture, within the 

 reach of every one who can spare the space. 



The habit of the plant is curious. Through the 

 summer it accumulates, in its large storage-roots, the 

 supply of energy to carry it through the heavy cutting 

 of the following spring, when for weeks its crown, or 

 central portion, makes shoots, only to have them cut 

 as fast as they appear. Its storage-roots lie near the 

 crown ; the feeding roots branch from them in all direc- 

 tions and go to considerable distances. These feeding 

 roots were formerly supplied with a great store of food 

 by the growers, who packed manure solidly in deep 

 trenches underneath the plants. It is now known thal 

 manure and fertilizer, worked into the upper few inches 

 of the ground, are enough for the plant, so that the 

 heavy initial expense of setting is no longer under- 

 taken. 



Asparagus is a hardy plant, and, though originally 

 found near the seashore, it will grow on many soils. It 

 is grown from seed, which by the old-time careless 

 methods gave fair results. The method of deep plant- 

 ing, described below, is best for the home garden, as 

 the plants are more vigorous and better able to resist 

 rust. Thinning should be carefully attended to, for 

 while at a few inches the tops of the plants will not 

 interfere, at nine inches the roots are still likely to 

 crowd. Deep planting where the plants are to stand 



