of Asparagus. 93 



considerably; at which time, that is, as soon as the haulm is 

 withered, you will cut it off close to the soil, and add two inch- 

 es of well rotted manure, over which put one inch of good rich 

 loam, and crown it up as before directed: continue to do this 

 every autumn; and every spring fork the bed over, taking care 

 not to injure the crowns of the plants; keep your bed free from 

 weeds, and you will have fine large spears, and plenty of them. 



I am under the impression the size of the spears, and the 

 quantity of asparagus, depend very much, if not wholly, on the 

 cultivation: it loves a very rich sandy loam. When persons 

 wish to put out plants, which they can purchase at the seed- 

 stores, instead of waiting to raise plants from seed, in which case 

 they gain one year, I should prefer the plants known to be the 

 proceed of seed from a bed producing large spears.* 



A bed planted in 1838 should not be cut until 1340. If you 

 cut the first year after planting, you injure the bed in the propor- 

 tion you cut; and if you cut freely, your bed will be ruined for 

 the future. After the second year you may cut freely. All in- 

 ferior spears should be suffered to run up, as they will strengthen 

 the roots. Cut sparingly after the first of July, as late cutting 

 is injurious to the bed; and after you have discontinued to cut 

 be careful the tops are not injured or destroyed, as mutilation of 

 the stem is very injurious to the bed. When you cut, have a 

 proper knife, quite sharp, which place to the side of the spear, 

 a little below the surface, nearly perpendicularly, and cut the 

 spear in a sloping direction. If you hold your knife horizontal- 

 ly, you will often cut off" other buds under the surface, which 

 you do not see, and tlius destroy the crop, and weaken the plants 

 for the future. 



Yours, &:c. 



S. Walker. 



Roxbury, Feb. 8, 1838. 



The above article of INIr. Walker's will, we apprehend, be 

 the means of rendering the cultivation of this most excellent 

 vegetable better known. In connection with one drawn up by 

 us, from data furnished by Mr. Pond, (vol. II, p. 134,) it will 

 afford all the information that need be desired to grow it to a 



* Althouorh I consider this of minor importance, when compared with 

 the rules for cultivation. I never met with fine large spears on a bed 

 poorly cultivated, nor did I ever meet with poor small si)ears on a bed 

 well taken care of. I wish my readers to bear in mind this fact. You 

 may raise giant or dwarf asparagus as you ])leasc. Pay attention and 

 cultivate highly, with plenty of manure, and you will raise giants— -nc- 

 glect your bed, and it will produce dwarfs. [Fine roots, raised from 

 what is called the giant, may be obtained of Hovey & Co., seedsmen, 

 9 Merchants Row, Boston.] 



