Asparagus 



or by hot-water pipes, the beds in either case being covered with 

 frames. Where the demand for forced Asparagus is constant, there 

 can be no doubt the hot-water system is the cheapest as well as the 

 cleanest and most reliable; for a casual supply forcing in frames 

 answers very well, but it is attended with the disadvantage that when 

 the crop has been secured the roots are worthless. The practice of 

 forcing may be said to commence with the formation of the seed-bed, 

 for if it is to be carried on in a systematic and profitable manner, every 

 detail must be provided for in the original arrangements. The width 

 of the beds and of the alleys, and the disposition of the plants, will 

 have to be carefully considered, so as to insure the best results of a 

 costly procedure, and it will be waste of time to begin forcing until 

 the plants have attained their fourth year. The rough method of 

 market growers consists in the employment of hot dung in trenches, 

 and also on the beds, after the frames are put on. The beds are 

 usually four feet wide, the alleys two feet wide and twenty inches 

 deep, and the plants not more than nine inches apart in the row, 

 there being three or four rows of plants in the bed. The frames 

 are put on when forcing commences, but the lights are withheld 

 until the shoots begin to appear. Then the fermenting material is 

 removed from the beds, the lights are put on, and no air is given, 

 mats being added in cold weather, both to retain warmth and 

 promote blanching. This method produces a fair market sample, 

 but a much better growth may be obtained by a good hot-water 

 system, as will be understood from a momentary consideration of 

 details. By the employment of fermenting material the tempera- 

 ture runs up rapidly, sometimes extravagantly, so that it is no 

 uncommon event for the growth to commence at 70 to 80 Fahr., 

 which may produce a handsome sample, but it will be flavourless. 

 The hot-water system allows of perfect control, and the prudent 

 grower will begin at 50, rise slowly to 60, and take care not to 

 exceed 65 ; the result will be a sample full of flavour, with a finer 

 appearance than the best obtainable by the rougher method. 



Forcing in frames is systematically practised in many gardens, 

 and as it exhausts the roots there must be a corresponding pro- 

 duction of roots for the purpose. The first requisite is a good 

 lasting hot-bed, covered with about four inches of light soil of 

 any kind, but preferably leaf-mould. The roots are carefully lifted 

 and planted as closely as possible on this bed, and are then covered 

 with fine soil to a depth of six inches. The sashes are then put on 

 and kept close ; but a little air may be given as the heads rise, to 



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