ASPARAGUS 87 



best shoots are again graded into firsts, seconds, and 

 thirds. The " firsts " or best shoots are first of all 

 placed in the frame so that they shall be on the outside 

 of the bundle when tied. The next best shoots are 

 added, and the smallest are placed in the centre. 

 When the required number has been placed in the 

 frame, the bundle is tied up firmly with two osier 

 twigs. These are previously steeped in water to 



FIG. 1 8. ASPARAGUS BUNCHER. 



The board E, with fixtures B and c, moves backwards and forwards. 

 The crosspiece F is for durability. The dotted circles near E indicate 

 that there are two cavities underneath for the fingers to slide the board. 

 When E is pushed back towards A, the Asparagus stems then rest on B 

 and c, with the points towards A. 



make them more pliable for the purpose. When 

 complete, a bundle of Asparagus measures from 

 5 to 7 in. in diameter. Some growers, and pro- 

 bably the most sensible ones, do not mix thick and 

 thin shoots in the same bundle, but make them up 

 separately after having graded them. In any case, 

 the neater the bundles are made, and the fresher and 

 more equal in size the individual shoots in them, the 

 more likely are they to realise a ready sale ; whilst 

 badly made bundles consisting of irregular shoots 



