24 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



though recent Arkansas experiments are in its favor. 

 Kainit, which contains potash with salt, is probably 

 more valuable. 



Berries should be stripped off as soon as set, wher- 

 ever practicable, because in ripening they take strength 

 from the root, they harbor the twelve-spotted beetle, 

 and if they ripen and fall they will produce troublesome 

 " volunteer asparagus." 



Seed may be raised as in Farmers' Bulletin No. 61. 



General culture. (1) In the spring. Cultivate as 

 thoroughly and as deeply as possible without touching 

 the roots or the crown. Fertilize as above, earth up if 

 blanching is required. 



(2) After the cutting season, cultivate thoroughly, 

 and, if the plants have been earthed up, level off the 

 field. Give an application of nitrate of soda or liquid 

 manure, and give between the plants and not over the 

 crowns the heaviest general dressing of the year. 



(3) In the fall. Strip off the berries before they 

 ripen, and burn them. It is a good cleanly garden 

 habit to cut the tops when wholly dead, in the late fall 

 or early winter, and burn them. Good commercial 

 growers now leave the tops for winter protection, and 

 harrow them into the ground in spring; but for the 

 garden they are too coarse to use thus, and if the bed 

 is manured in the fall the tops are not needed for 

 protection. All sap should have left them before 

 cutting. 



