152 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



cover more deeply and blanch the shoots by continued growth 

 through a thicker layer of loose earth. 



Comparatively little asparagus is bunched in California, except 

 for fresh shipments to eastern markets; the bulk of it being mar- 

 keted in large boxes as loose stalks which are both wholesaled and 

 retailed by the pound. For distance shipments the boxes are 

 marked so that the stems stand on their ends just as they grow, for 

 they are apt to bend out of shape if lying on the sides. When the 

 asparagus is brought into the packing house for shipping fresh it 

 is first separated into different grades. A tray of a size is then 

 carried by a worker to a bench where the asparagus is laid stalk 

 by stalk in a circular press and tied into a bunch with cotton tape 

 or raffia. All the bunches are of one size and there is but one grade 

 in each bunch. After being passed to an inspector, who returns 

 any that is not up to the standard, the bunches have their ends cut 

 off and are then wrapped in oiled paper and packed in crates. A 

 couple of inches of wet moss is placed in the bottom of each crate 

 to keep the asparagus fresh, and an inch or two of space is left 

 at the top, as the stalks continue to grow during their journey and 

 that amount of head-room is desirable. 



For near marketing in the height of the season the asparagus 

 is' usually delivered in open boxes holding forty to fifty pounds. 

 Where bunching is desirable in garden practice, it can be neatly 

 done by putting the stalks point downwards in a teacup, tying the 

 bunch, and then squaring off the butts with a sharp knife. 



The asparagus season in California extends from January until 

 June; although later cutting is sometimes practiced, it is not, as 

 stated, for the good of the plants. 



The Asparagus Rust. The disease made a vigorous attack 

 upon California asparagus fields in 1905. A careful study of the 

 disease and experimentation conducted by Prof. R. E. Smith demon- 

 strated that the trouble can be controlled by proper use of sulphur 

 for the protection of the top growth after the cutting season. Full 

 information can be had from the University Experiment Station at 

 Berkeley. 



VARIETIES CHIEFLY GROWN IN CALIFORNIA. 



Conover's Colossal : an old standard variety ; large tender stalks 

 of good flavor. Largely grown for the canneries, which use it 

 almost to the exclusion of other sorts. 



