74 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



down, it should be well watered so as to accelerate 

 the generation of heat. 



Before placing the lights on the frames the soil 

 should be watered if inclined to be dry, and even a 

 layer of manure may be spread over the beds to 

 hasten the growth of the Asparagus. Care, however, 

 should be taken to remove this manure as soon as the 

 tender shoots appear above the surface of the soil. 



During the period of growth a temperature of 60 

 to 70 Fahr. should be maintained, but no air whatever 

 is given. Watering is, however, attended to when 

 necessary, as a humid atmosphere is essential to secure 

 the best results. 



Every ten days or a fortnight the frames should 

 be banked up or " lined " with large or small quantities 

 of fresh manure according to the state of the weather, 

 the object being to maintain an even temperature 

 within the frames. 



Light is excluded during the daytime with mats ; and 

 during the night-time the lights must also be covered 

 with one or more mats according to the state of the 

 weather. The temperature inside the frames should 

 never fall below 55 Fahr., otherwise the shoots will 

 be attacked with " rust " and become unsaleable. 



Under these conditions fine shoots of Asparagus will 

 be ready at the end of twenty to twenty-five days 

 after forcing has commenced, and then cutting may 

 take place every two or three days until the crop is 

 exhausted, which takes place in from four to six weeks. 

 After each cutting it is a good plan to stand the 

 shoots in clean water, and place them in a cellar for 

 a short time so that the tips may become tinged 

 with colour. 



