408 



THE TARES AND GARDEKS OF PARIS. [Chap. XXYII. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



Asparagus Culture. 



Asparagus is grown much more 

 abundantly and to a much larger 

 size in France than it is in 

 England. The country is half 

 covered with it in some places 

 near Paris; farmers grow it abun- 

 dantly, cottagers grow it — every- 

 body grows it, and everybody 

 eats it. Near Paris it is chiefly 

 grown for market in the valley 

 of Montmorency and at Argen- 

 teuil, and it is cultivated exten- 

 sively for market in many other 

 places. About Argenteuil 3000 

 j)ersons are employed in the 

 culture of Asparagus. It is 

 grown to a large extent among 

 the Yines as well as alone. The 

 Vine under field-culture is cut down to near the old stool every year, 

 and allowed to make a few growths, which are tied erect to a stake : 

 they do not overtop the Asparagus, but on the other hand, it, 

 when strong, shows well above the Yines. It is not in distinct 

 lines among the Yines, but in tufts widely and irregularly sepa- 

 rated. One plant is put in each open spot, and given every 

 chance of forming a large specimen, and this it generally does. 

 When the stems get large and a little top-heavy in early summer, 

 a string is put round all, so as to hold them slightly together (the 



