MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 37 



not a spear above ground when I went 

 away ; and now it had sprung up, and 

 gone to seed, and there were stalks 

 higher than my head. I am entirely 

 aware of the value of words, and of 

 moral obligations. When I say that 

 the asparagus had grown six feet in 

 seven days, I expect and wish to be 

 believed. I am a little particular about 

 the statement ; for, if there is any prize 

 offered for asparagus at the next agri 

 cultural fair, I wish to compete, speed 

 to govern. What I claim is the fastest 

 asparagus. As for eating purposes, I 

 have seen better. A neighbor of mine, 

 who looked in at the growth of the 

 bed, said, &quot; Well, he d be - - : &quot; but I 

 told him there was no use of affirming 

 now; he might keep his oath till ] 

 wanted it on the asparagus affidavit. 

 In order to have this sort of asparagus, 

 you want to manure heavily in the 



