ASPARAGUS 75 



When the crop is finished, the beds and linings of 

 manure may be left untouched for several days to 

 allow the heat to subside gradually, and also so that 

 the plants may not be exposed too suddenly from a 

 high to a low temperature. The frames and lights 

 are then taken off, the manure from the pathways is 

 utilised for dressing the ground for other vegetables, 

 and the upper soil from the beds is returned to the 

 pathways from which it was originally taken. 



In practice, it is found more economical to force two 

 beds of Asparagus running parallel than one, as the 

 hot manure in the pathway then serves to heat both 

 beds at the same time, and also to supply moisture by 

 capillary attraction. To secure a succession of produce 

 to the end of the season, an interval of from four to 

 six weeks may be allowed between each bed, or group 

 of beds, to be forced. 



As a rule only half the beds are forced one year, so 

 that the other half shall have a rest, thus allowing the 

 plants to recover from the strain placed upon them 

 by the forcing process. 



Summer Treatment. During the summer months 

 the plants that have been forced are allowed to grow 

 naturally without further picking, while those that are 

 to be forced the following year are also allowed to 

 grow naturally and without being cut. 



Treated in this way Asparagus beds made in the 

 way described will continue to yield good crops for 

 twelve to fifteen years of what is known as " white " 

 or " blanched " Asparagus. 



Green Asparagus. The plants^ [used for the pro- 

 duction of " green " Asparagus should be at least 

 two, if not three, years old, to secure the best results. 



