118 FORCING ASPARAGUS. 



ing them on a level, as the surface of the bed at first lay, 

 till you have finished planting them ; then lay among the 

 buds and roots some fine vegetable or other rich mould, work 

 it in among them with your fingers, and cover the beds over 

 about an inch thick ; and upon that, lay three inches in 

 depth of vegetable mould not very rotten, old tan, or any 

 other light compost that will admit the water to run quickly 

 through. 



If there be a strong heat in the bed, slide down the sashes 

 till it begins to decline. The temperature at night should 

 never be under 50, and it may rise to 65 without injury ; 

 when the buds begin to appear, as much air must be daily 

 admitted as the weather will permit. In two or three days 

 after the beds are planted, the heat will begin to rise : the 

 beds should then have a moderate supply of water, applied 

 from a watering-pot with the rose attached ; repeat such 

 watering every three or four days. 



When the buds are up three inches above the surface, 

 they are fit to gather for use, as they will then be six or seven 

 inches in length. In gathering them, draw aside a little of 

 the mould, slip down the finger and thumb, and twist them 

 off from the crown : this is a better method than to cut them ; 

 at least, it is less dangerous to the rising buds, which come 

 up thick in succession. 



An ordinary-sized frame calculated for three sashes will 

 hold from three to five hundred plants, according to their age 

 and size, and will, if properly managed, yield a dish every 

 day for about three weeks. On the above estimate, if a con- 

 stant succession of Asparagus be required, it will be neces- 

 sary to plant a bed every eighteen or twenty days. 



Rhubarb and Sea-Kale may be, and sometimes are, forced 

 in the same manner as Asparagus ; but the most general 

 mode is to excite them where they stand in the open garden, 

 by the application of warm dung. 



