76 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



These may be raised from seeds and transplanted in 

 the way already described at p. 72, remembering that 

 a good annual top-dressing of manure in the autumn 

 or early winter months is necessary. A few good 

 soakings during^dry seasons are also advisable, and 

 care should be taken to have the tall stems staked 

 up before they begin to lie upon the ground. 



When raising plants in this way for forcing later on, 

 no young shoots whatever must be cut from them, as 

 it is essential to develop strong, sturdy crowns with as 

 many growths as possible. Of course each autumn 

 the flowering stems are cut down to the ground, except 

 the last year, when the crowns are to be forced. Then 

 it is better to leave a few inches of the stems showing 

 well above the soil to indicate the exact position of 

 the plants, and to render the lifting as easy as possible. 



Forcing " Green " Asparagus. Forcing is practised 

 from the middle of September till the beginning of 

 March. The clumps or crowns are carefully lifted with 

 a flat-tined fork, and are placed side by side on a few 

 inches of rich mould that has previously been spread 

 over the prepared hot-bed, or in a heated frame or 

 warm greenhouse. 



Each season large growers of Asparagus advertise 

 two or three year-old crowns, for forcing purposes, at 

 reasonable rates, so there is realty no necessity for 

 the intensive cultivator to devote time, labour, and 

 land to the development of the plants. 



When a bed is used for forcing, it is made up of 

 good manure until it is 2 to 3 ft. thick, and developing 

 a temperature of 70 to 80 Fahr. An excellent 

 hot-bed may be made from equal parts of fresh stable 

 manure, old manure, and cow manure all of which 



