48 MY SUMMER IN A GARDEN. 



spear above ground when I went away ; and novr 

 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 obli- 

 gations. 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 agricultural 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, " Well, 



he 'd be " : but I told him there was no use 



of affirming now ; he might keep his oath till I 

 wanted it on the asparagus affidavit. In order 

 to have this sort of asparagus, you want to ma- 

 nure heavily in the early spring, fork it in, and 

 top-dress (that sounds technical) with a thick 

 layer of chloride of sodium : if you cannot get 



