188 VEGETABLE FORCING 



Planting. Freezing the roots for a few days before 

 they are planted is thought to be an advantage. Pre- 

 paratory to planting, regardless of the location, about 2 

 inches of earth should be placed in the bottom of the beds. 

 The roots, which should not be less than four years of 

 age, are then placed on this layer of soil as close to- 

 gether as possible and the spaces around and between 

 them rilled with soil. An inch or two of earth is placed 

 orer the tops of the crowns, and 6 to 8 inches of soil is 

 used in this way if blanched shoots are to be grown. In 

 order to have a succession of shoots it is necessary to 

 make new plantings at intervals of three to four weeks. 



There is a better market for forced asparagus during 

 the late fall and winter than in the spring, when there 

 is more competition from California and the South. There 

 are probably no better seasons to have it ready for market 

 than at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Less heat is re- 

 quired, too, early in the winter than during January and 

 February. 



Temperature. There is some difference of opinion 

 concerning the most suitable temperatures for the forcing 

 of asparagus. Growers and writers all agree that the 

 crop should be started at a low temperature. It will be- 

 gin to force at 45 degrees or even below that point. If 

 the temperature does not exceed 50 degrees for a week 

 the results will be better. High temperatures at first ap- 

 parently produce weak, spindling shoots. After strong 

 shoots have started, a temperature of 55 to 60 degrees 

 will be satisfactory, though some practical growers prefer 

 75 degrees or even higher temperatures. 



Watering. Immediately after the beds are planted 

 they should be given a thorough watering. Enough 

 water should be applied to penetrate the entire depth of 

 the beds. They should then be kept constantly moist, 

 and this may require two or three waterings a week. 

 Rather profuse watering is regarded as necessary for high 

 yields of large shoots. 



